Delhi Records Worst Air Quality Of July  With 119 AQI Despite Above Normal Rainfall

Despite observing a rare “good” air quality day, Delhi ended July with its worst average air quality in six years, underscoring the city’s unpredictable pollution patterns during the monsoon. Want to know more about it? Read more.

Delhi Records Worst AQI Above Normal Rainfall

According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi recorded an average Air Quality Index (AQI) of 119 in July 2026. This is the highest July average since 2019, when the city witnessed an AQI of 134, and significantly lower than last year’s July average of 78. Since the CPCB began routinely tracking AQI in 2015, only 2015, 2016, and 2019 have measured poorer July air quality.

As per a report by News18, July saw severe swings in Delhi’s air quality. On July 9, after heavy rainfall, the city’s AQI dropped to 48, which was its first good air quality day in the month of July in nine years and the cleanest day since 2017. However, the improvement was temporary. Just days later, on July 12 and 13, dusty storms sweeping in from Central Asia pushed the AQI to 261, which made it the highest daily pollution level recorded in July in five years.

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Why Does Delhi Remain The Most Populated City?

Delhi measured 254.7 mm of rainfall in July, around 26% above the monthly average, as reported by the Safdarjung weather station. However, experts told the news portal that it wasn’t the amount of rainfall but its varying pattern of distribution that affected air quality.

Instead of normal showers that continuously wash pollutants from the atmosphere, the city has experienced extended dry spells between heavy rain occurrences. During these intervals, coarse dust (PM10) was easily re-suspended due to high humidity and gusty winds. Dust-laden winds from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran further worsened the air quality of Delhi.

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As a result, while heavy downpours temporarily cleared the skies, the lack of sustained rainfall allowed dust and traffic pollutants to build up quickly, leaving Delhi with its most polluted July since 2019.

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Cover Image Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons