After Gurpurb firecracker bursting and fresh farm fires, Punjab smog crisis worsens
The bursting of firecrackers on Gurpurb and more farm fires have further deteriorated the air quality in the region, with the AQI level in Amritsar reaching 326 this morning, plunging it into the 'very poor' category.
Jalandhar recorded an AQI of 217, Khanna 179, Ludhiana 218, Mandi Gobindgarh 224, Patiala 235 and Rupnagar 155.
Experts said the number of farm fires had started to decline, but it would take time for the air quality to improve in the affected areas, including the Chandigarh tricity and the NCR.
Punjab witnessed 238 cases of stubble burning on Friday, taking the total tally to 7,864 this season.
Ravindra Khaiwal, Professor of Environment Health, Nodal Faculty Officer, Centre of Excellence on Climate Change & Air Pollution, said farm fires could significantly impact the air quality in distant cities, even under still conditions.
The authorities have imposed a penalty of around Rs 1.3 crore in 3,846 cases and recovered over Rs 97 lakh as environmental compensation. As many as 4,097 FIRs have been registered and 3,842 red entries made in the land records of erring farmers. Proceedings have been initiated against 61 supervisory officers under Section 14 of the CAQM Act.
The expert said that the increase in wind speed would sweep away fog and resultant smog, thereby improving the AQI.
KK Gill, Principal Agriculture Metrologist, said irrigation in the wheat fields was also adding to fog formation. “Currently, there is morning and evening fog. During the day, it turns into smog and dust particles get trapped in it. In such still conditions, paddy residue burning could have a detrimental impact and add to more pollution,” he said.
