A brisk windstorm delivered good news for NCR’s air quality on February 21, pushing down AQI levels across Delhi, Noida, and Ghaziabad. After prolonged poor air, locals are savoring the cleaner breeze, though caution remains as levels hover between moderate and poor.
Ghaziabad’s data from UPPCB highlights stark contrasts: Loni’s 268 neared poor, Indirapuram 232, Vasundhara 233, and Sanjay Nagar’s 181 provided some optimism. Noida fared variably too—Sector-62 led with a moderate 164, followed by Sector-116 at 194, Sector-125 at 199, and Sector-1 at 213.
Delhi’s patchwork of readings paints a similar picture. Hotspots like Chandni Chowk (246) and Anand Vihar (244) lagged, Ashok Vihar at 224 and Bawana 219. Cleaner zones included Aya Nagar’s impressive 138, CRRI Mathura Road 161, Alipur and DTU both 189, Burari Crossing 195, Dr. Karni Singh Range 211.
IMD notes steady weather: 29°C max and 13°C min on the 21st and 22nd, rising slightly to 30/14 on the 23rd amid light fog. No major alerts issued. Winds have scattered pollutants effectively, but meteorologists warn of potential rebound if speeds drop. Mornings and evenings stay cool, days sunny— a temporary balm for the region’s chronic air woes.