• Source:JND
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Delhi has experienced its cleanest first half of December since the Air Quality Index (AQI) began compiling data in 2015. According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), there was only one "very poor" air day and no "severe" air days. Additionally, the city saw six "moderate" air days, the highest number ever for December, and eight "poor" air days.

Delhi recorded an average Air Quality Index (AQI) of 238, marking the lowest level ever for the first half of December. In contrast, the average AQI for the same period over the past nine years has typically exceeded 300, highlighting this year's cleaner air during the early part of the month.

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Between December 1 and December 15 this year, Delhi's average AQI was 238, marking the lowest level for December. Over the past nine years, the average AQI during this period has typically exceeded 300, making this year's first half notably cleaner.

In the first half of December, the lowest average AQI recorded was 301, which occurred in 2022. For the same period last year, the average AQI was 327. Notably, there has been no day classified as "good" or "satisfactory" in terms of air quality in December since the start of data collection. 

According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the AQI ranges are classified as follows: 0-50 is "good," 51-100 is "satisfactory," 101-200 is "moderate," 201-300 is "poor," 301-400 is "very poor," and anything above 400 is considered "severe."

The average Air Quality Index (AQI) readings between December 1 and 15 in previous years, were as follows: 322 in 2021, 335 in 2020, 321 in 2019, 330 in 2018, 304 in 2017, 367 in 2016, and 323 in 2015.

The highest number of “moderate” air days recorded in December before this year was three, observed in 2022, 2019, and 2015.

This year, the only “very poor” air day occurred on December 8, when the AQI peaked at 302. Over the past month, the air quality was categorized as “poor” on eight separate days, including on Sunday, with a 24-hour average AQI of 294. The previous day saw a “moderate” AQI of 193.