The G20 event in Delhi turned out to be amazing, as the weather gods were kind to the Delhites and all the top world leaders and international delegates.

The Weather was pleasant and rained! 🌧

Delhites breathed cleanest air on Sunday, and the air quality improved to its best level and the city witnessed first good air day since October last year.

The rain and the various restrictions imposed due to G20 Summit helped in cleaning city's air.

The Capital’s 24-hour average air quality index (AQI) dipped to 45 at 4pm on Sunday, the city’s first “good” air day this year. Pollution levels on Sunday were the lowest since October 10 last year, when Delhi clocked an AQI of just 44.

Data from the Central Pollution Control Board, which started measuring the Air Quality Index (AQI) since April 2015, shows that 'good air' days have been recorded in Delhi only when there has been intense rain or a drastic reduction in vehicular and other emissions due to lockdowns. Sunday saw both taking place.

"The AQI improved to 'good' category on Sunday due to a combination of rain, the special drive to clean up, closure of offices and enterprises, and restrictions on traffic due to the summit. Rain further helped in settling down pollutants," said Anumita Roychowdhury from the Centre for Science and Environment.

"Traffic was considerably reduced during the past three days. In Delhi, vehicular pollution is among the major contributors to air pollution," she added as reported by TimesofIndia.

Not a single 'good air' day was reported in 2015, 2016 and 2018, but Delhi witnessed two such days in 2017 during the monsoon months, on July 30 and 31. Similarly, two 'good' air days were registered in 2019 when AQI touched 49 on two days - August 18 and 19. In 2020, Delhi saw five 'good' air quality days - one in March during the Covid lockdown and four in August during the monsoon period.