Such a feat in Delhi after 10 years! The cleanest July air recorded -do you know the reason behind it?

National News: The capital, Delhi, breathed the cleanest air in July 2025 compared to the last ten years. According to the latest data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the average air quality index (AQI) for this month was 79, which falls in the "satisfactory" category. This is the lowest level in comparison to previous years and shows a significant improvement in air quality. According to experts and officials, continuous rains and, to some extent, policy efforts are the main reasons for this.

The air became clean after 23 days of rain

According to CPCB, it rained on 23 out of 31 days in July 2025, which washed away the pollutants present in the atmosphere. This led to a clear improvement in air quality. According to data till July 30, 28 days were recorded in the satisfactory category and 2 days in the moderate category in Delhi this month. The cleanest air was recorded on July 15, when the AQI was just 51, touching the limits of the good category. In contrast, the AQI on July 26 was 136, which was the worst day of the month.

Improvement is seen in comparison to previous years' figures

The AQI calculation system was started in April 2015. Since then, the air quality in the month of July has never been so good. The average AQI of July in the past years has been as follows.

• 2015: 138.13
• 2016: 145.64
• 2017: 98.39
• 2018: 103.83
• 2019: 134
• 2020: 83.80
• 2021: 110.06
• 2022: 87.29
• 2023: 83.67
• 2024: 96
• 2025: 79

So far this year, Delhi has recorded 118 days of good, satisfactory, or moderate air quality, which is equal to the total number of days of the entire year of 2023.

Who contributes to clean air?

Delhi's Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa claimed that this improvement is not just due to the weather but is also the result of the multi-pronged efforts of the government. He said that steps like landfill management, cleanliness drives, and results-based monitoring have had a positive impact on air quality.

The expert told the reason for the weather.

However, environmental experts are not fully convinced by the government's claim. Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director of the Centre for Science and Environment, said the intensity of the monsoon is the main reason for this improvement. She explained that heavy and continuous rains wash away pollutants from the atmosphere. She also added that the policy impact cannot be properly assessed during the monsoon. The real picture will emerge in winter, when pollution is at its peak.

Rainfall crossed the average level

According to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), the average rainfall for July in Delhi is 209.7 mm, while by the morning of July 30, 220.2 mm of rain had been recorded at the Safdarjung center. By 5:30 pm, another 15 mm of rain had fallen. A total of 32.9 mm of rain was recorded at Palam, and more than 50 mm of rain was recorded at the Pusa center during this period. Light to moderate rain was also recorded in Janakpuri, Mangolpuri, and other areas. The Meteorological Department has predicted light to moderate rain till August 1.