Noida has seen a welcome shift in air quality thanks to relentless strong winds over the past 24 hours. The National Capital Region (NCR) is breathing easier as Air Quality Index (AQI) levels drop significantly, pulling most areas out of the dreaded red zone into orange and yellow categories.
Monitoring stations across Ghaziabad paint a clearer picture. Indirapuram recorded an AQI of 255, Loni at 289, Sanjay Nagar a healthier 138, and Vasundhara at 258. Sanjay Nagar stands out as a beacon of relatively clean air, while Loni and Vasundhara continue to grapple with higher pollution.
In Noida, sectors are showing marked improvement too. Sector-125 clocked 202, Sector-62 at 192, Sector-1 at 242, and Sector-116 at 183. These figures signal a broad relief from the smog that had choked the region.
Delhi’s stations echo this trend. Alipur hit 194, Anand Vihar 275, Ashok Vihar 250, Aya Nagar a crisp 148, Bawana 234, Burari Crossing 189, Chandni Chowk 252, CRRI Mathura Road 184, Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Range 215, and DTU 157. Areas like Anand Vihar and Chandni Chowk lag behind, but spots like Aya Nagar offer hope.
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasts light mist from February 20 to 22, with temperatures peaking at 28°C on the 20th and 21st, dropping to 12-13°C lows, and rising to 30°C max on the 22nd. No severe weather warnings are in place.
Experts attribute the dip to winds gusting at 5-7 km/h, dispersing pollutants effectively. Stability holds for now, but any lull in winds could reverse gains quickly. Residents are urged to stay vigilant as winter’s grip loosens.