Hyderabad breathes much cleaner air in April this year due to rain than in April 2021 during Covid-19 lockdown
Posted Date – 11:59 PM, Sunday – 5/7/23
file photo.
Hyderabad: Unusual rainfall can catch residents off guard and cause inconvenience, but they also bring surprising revelations. Thanks to the rains, the city breathes much cleaner air this April than it did during the coronavirus-induced lockdown in April 2021.
According to data provided by the Central Pollution Control Board, the air quality index has remained within a satisfactory range last month, with only five moderately polluted days. This is a far cry from the 14 days in April 2021 when the air quality index (AQI) exceeded the moderate limit and the 16 days in April 2022.
April 2021 is marked by a lockdown, which has resulted in a significant reduction in vehicle movement on city roads. This did result in a slight improvement in air quality. However, that wasn’t enough to stop the AQI from 14 above the mid-line for the month.
April 2023, by contrast, is better than the year, which can be attributed to a rather unusual ally – rain. This April has seen more rain than any other April in recent years, according to a senior environmental scientist. “Rainfall helps to wash away most common air pollutants and pollen, which improves air quality significantly. Vehicles also slow down on rainy days, further reducing pollution,” he said.
The results of improved air quality are evident across the city, with most areas including Nacharam, Malakpet, Khairatabad, Kompally and Sanathnagar recording air pollution levels at or below 100, a satisfactory level. Even the usually smoggy area of Uppar, Paradise, Abidz breathes clean air.
The least polluted day in Hyderabad in April 2023 will be April 26 with an AQI of a paltry 55. For reference, an AQI between 0 and 50 is considered “good,” and between 51 and 100 is considered “satisfactory.” As the numbers increase, the grades progress to Moderate, Poor, Very Poor, and Severe.
