Delhi residents got a few days of respite from pollution. According to reports, after heavy rain Delhi's Air Quality Index (AQI) hit 48 in the afternoon, the cleanest day of 2026 so far.
Key points
- It was described as Delhi's first "good" air day of 2026
- The last time air was this clean was September 2023
- Experts say only moderate to heavy rain cleanses the air effectively
However, experts warned the relief is temporary — by July 13 the AQI was back in the "poor" category (around 294). A lasting fix needs year-round emission cuts.
