Gurgaon: The city’s air quality shifted to the ‘moderate’ category on Thursday from the ‘poor’ range a day earlier, as rain and gusty winds helped clear pollutants. The overall AQI stood at 157, a marked dip from 251 on March 18.Data from monitoring stations showed variation across locations amid an overall improving trend. Gwal Pahari recorded an AQI of 126, while Sector 51 and Vikas Sadan stations reported 196 and 150 respectively. The improvement follows light rain accompanied by strong surface winds in the afternoon. Such weather conditions aid vertical and horizontal dispersion of pollutants, reducing particulate concentration levels, particularly PM2.5 and PM10, which remained elevated in recent days.Through early March, Gurgaon saw multiple days of high pollution. AQI levels crossed 300 on March 7, 10 and 11, placing the city in the ‘very poor’ category. Several other days recorded ‘poor’ air quality, with PM2.5 emerging as the dominant pollutant.HSPCB officials said, “The relief may be temporary, depending on weather conditions in the coming days. Calm winds and dry conditions typically lead to pollutant accumulation, while intermittent rain and wind events help clear the air.”Despite the improvement, health advisories remain in place. At current levels, air quality may still cause breathing discomfort for people with respiratory illnesses, asthma and heart conditions.Authorities continue to monitor trends as pre-summer dust and local emission sources remain key contributors to Gurgaon’s air pollution.The PM2.5 level was highest on Wednesday at Gwal Pahari (142 µg/m³), followed by Vikas Sadan (120 µg/m³) and Sector 51 (112 µg/m³). The level of PM10 was highest at Sector 51 (198 µg/m³), followed by Gwal Pahari (118 µg/m³). Vikas Sadan doesn’t record PM10 data.
