Mon Dec 30 17:44:14 UTC 2024: ## Delhi Records Cleanest December Air Since 2015
**New Delhi, India** – Delhi has experienced its cleanest December air since the introduction of the Air Quality Index (AQI) system in 2015, with an average AQI of 294. This significant improvement is attributed to strong winds in the first half of the month and record-breaking rainfall in the second half, according to officials.
December saw the cleanest first half ever recorded, with only one “very poor” air day between December 1st and 15th. The month also boasted eight days of “moderate” air quality, a stark contrast to previous years which saw a maximum of three such days. The lowest AQI recorded was 139 on December 28th, the cleanest December day on record. This is a substantial improvement from last December’s average AQI of 348.
The unprecedented rainfall played a crucial role. December 2024 saw 53.5 mm of rainfall, making it the fifth wettest December since 1901. A single day, December 28th, saw 41.2 mm of rainfall—the highest single-day December rainfall in 101 years. This contrasts sharply with the zero rainfall recorded in both December 2023 and 2022.
While the first two weeks saw effective pollutant dispersion due to strong winds, a western disturbance in the third week led to six days of severe air quality (December 17th-23rd) due to increased moisture and stagnant air. Despite this temporary setback, the overall air quality remained significantly better than in previous years. The highest AQI recorded this December was 451.
Experts credit the favorable air quality to the effective dispersion of pollutants, particularly in the early part of the month. While days were slightly warmer than average, nights were consistently pleasant, making for a relatively comfortable December.
First Piper 