Heavy rain accompanied by gusty winds washed away the pollutants, bringing down the Air Quality Index to “moderate” category on Tuesday.
However, the relief from pollution was coupled with troubles as several areas reported waterlogging that left commuters stranded for hours. The Central Pollution Control Board data stated that the overall AQI in the city was 104, down from 346 on Monday.
The dip is likely to be short-lived, with air quality expected to deteriorate by Thursday, said the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), adding that it may reach the “poor” category. Other parts of NCR— Noida, Greater Noida, Gurugram and Faridabad — were in the “satisfactory” category, while Ghaziabad recorded “moderate” level.
AQI between 100 and 200 comes under “moderate” category; 201 and 300 is considered “poor”; 301 and 400 “very poor”; and 401 and 500 is “severe”.
The city received 14.8 mm of rainfall in the past 24 hours ending at 8.30 a.m on Tuesday, and 27.2 mm of rainfall between 8.30 a.m. and 5.30 p.m. on Tuesday.
The rain brought the maximum temperature down to 19.4 degrees Celsius, two degrees below normal, while the minimum temperature rose to 12.5 degrees Celsius, five degrees above normal.
Roads cave-in
Heavy rain led to caving in of roads at two stretches, which paved the way for traffic congestion across the city. A small portion of a road caved in near JLN Stadium, which led to a traffic jam on Barapullah elevated road. Another cave-in was reported on Mathura Road. The civic agencies concerned have been informed about the incidents.
The traffic police said they received numerous calls complaining of congestion during morning hours. Traffic was reported on various stretches, including Maulana Azad Road towards Janpath, Swaroop Nagar underpass from NH-1 towards Singhu Border and Mangolpuri towards Janakpuri on Peeragarhi.
The police kept updating the traffic situation on social media throughout the day.
The North Delhi body reported waterlogging at various places, including Minto Road, a market in Roop Nagar, Tilak Gali in Kashmere Gate, Sadar Bazar, Sector 15 Rohini, Inder Enclave in Kirari, New Rohtak Road in Karol Bagh, Arya Nagar and LIC DDA flats in Paharganj, Roop Nagar and Rana Pratap Bagh.
Building collapse
A building reportedly collapsed in Prayas Wali Gali in Jahangaripuri.
The Met Department has forecast a partly cloudy sky with the possibility of very light/ light rain/ thundershowers on Wednesday.
The maximum and minimum temperatures are likely to hover between 19 and 10 degrees Celsius.
