Delhi saw only one ‘Good’ air day this monsoon despite heavy rain: CSE report
A report by the Centre for Science and Environment reveals that Delhi experienced only one day of 'Good' air quality during the 92-day monsoon season. Despite heavy rainfall, baseline pollution levels remain dangerously high, suggesting that natural washout is insufficient to combat the city's air crisis.
Why it matters
The findings underscore the failure of seasonal weather patterns to mitigate chronic urban air pollution, highlighting the need for systemic policy changes.
Delhi recorded just a single day of ‘Good’ air quality during the entire 92-day monsoon season despite heavy rainfall, according to a new report by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE).
The report, released on Wednesday (September 30, 2026), noted that the Capital’s ‘Good’ Air Quality Index (AQI) day occurred on July 9, when the combined mean rainfall across the Safdarjung and Palam meteorological stations hit 67.75 mm. The report defied the summer season, as April 1 to May 31 (61 days) and the monsoon as June 1 to August 31 (92 days).
“Out of 92 analysed days, ‘Poor’ days plummeted to just three (3.3 per cent). ‘Satisfactory’ days rose to 35 (38.0 per cent), while ‘Moderate’ days held the single largest share at 53 (57.6 per cent),” the CSE statement noted.
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