New Delhi, Feb. 28 -- The Capital recorded its cleanest February this year since 2016, coinciding with an unusually warm month compared to the past few years, according to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and India Meteorological Department (IMD) data.

This year, an average air quality index of 214 ("poor") was recorded in February. The 24-hour average AQI on Friday was 121 ("moderate"), according to CPCB's daily bulletin.

There was also scattered rainfall on Friday evening, with 0.8mm of rainfall recorded at the Safdarjung weather station between 5.30pm and 8.30pm. The Najafgarh and SPS Mayur Vihar weather stations recorded 0.5mm of rainfall in the same period.

To be sure, the air quality was in the "poor" range for the entire m...