Noida: After continuous rain for two days, air pollution drastically improved in the city of Noida. In fact, the residents were delighted to see a rainbow in the sky when the sun came out later on Monday.
The spotting of the rainbow was talk of the town on Monday. As soon as it was seen, people started sharing pictures of it on various social media platforms including Facebook and WhatsApp. Many people exclaimed that rainbow was spotted in Noida after a long time.
It was heavy rain with thunderstorms and lightning on Sunday morning. The sky opened generously with strong winds. It was a much-needed respite from the high pollution levels.
According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Noida plummeted to 45 from 288 a day before. In the neighbouring city Ghaziabad, the AQI dropped to 38 from 224 a day before.
Prior to the rain spell, the air quality was oscillating between “very poor” and “poor” categories for three days in Noida.
The authorities stated that with the heavy to moderate rainfall, the effect of stubble burning (happening in neighbouring states) lessened in Noida. Suspended dust also settled after the rain.
An air quality index (AQI) reading between 0 and 50 is considered ‘good’, between 51 and 100 ‘satisfactory’, between 101 and 200 ‘moderate’, between 201 and 300 ‘poor’, between 301 and 400 ‘very poor’, and between 401 and 500 ‘severe’.