Dry weather adds to air quality woes
The state government is trying hard to curb the practice of stubble burning in the fields. On a daily basis, FIRs are being lodged against those indulging in fire-farms and awareness is spread among the masses about the ill-effects of burning paddy residue in open fields. But the Air Quality Index (AQI) still shows there is no respite, the practice of burning stubble goes on polluting the environment even more as compared to last year during this period. At the same time, officials with the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) maintain that dry weather in the month of October had added to the poor air quality.
As on October 22, the AQI in Ludhiana this year was 134 while last year it was 107 on the same day. Similarly, at places like Amritsar, Bathinda, Jalandhar, Khanna, Patiala, etc, the AQI was on the higher side as compared to the same day in 2023. The worst affected city seems to be Patiala where AQI reached to 189 in comparison with 136 last year followed by Bathinda with 173 and Amritsar with 172 AQI.
As per AQI chart, 1-50 AQI is considered to be good for health while 50-100 AQI is considered to be satisfactory. The Air Quality Index between 101-200 is considered bad for the lungs, heart and the Asthmatic patients and old age people remain the major sufferers due to poor air quality.
Amritpal Singh, a PPCB official, said day-to-day data would never give a clear picture and there could not be any comparison. He added that last year, the month of October witnessed rains till October 20-21 and rains prove good as it settles down the pollution levels in the air. “This year, October has remained totally dry with no rains due to which the AQI is on the higher side. If we compare the strictness and incidents of farm fires, these are considerable low in 2024 as of now. There has been an improvement and awareness among the masses”, said the official.
