4 cities record 'very poor' air quality, 13 in 'poor' category

Residents of the state continue to breath poor air, with Ballabhgarh, Jind, Panipat and Sonepat recording ‘very poor’ air quality and 13 cities, including Bhiwani, Kaithal, Karnal, Kurukshetra, Rohtak, Faridabad, Hisar and Sirsa, recording ‘poor’ air quality on Saturday.

As per the evening bulletin of the CPCB, Panipat (377), Sonepat (333), Ballabhgarh (325), and Jind (303) were among the cities with ‘very poor’ air quality, while Bahadurgarh (296), Bhiwani (294), Charkhi Dadri (289), Kaithal (288), Faridabad (285), Karnal (277), Rohtak (269), Gurugram (265), Sirsa (261), Kurukshetra (254), Hisar (240), Dharuhera (226) and Manesar (223) were among the cities with 'poor' air quality.

Ambala, with an index value of 100, recorded satisfactory air quality while Panchkula (153), Mandi Khera (120), Fatehabad (114), and Palwal (105) were in the moderate category.

Meanwhile, with 53 fresh cases of stubble burning reported on Saturday, the number of farm fires have jumped to 1,263 in this season. Of 53 fresh cases, 20 were reported from Sirsa, followed by 16 from Jind, four from Rohtak, three each from Jhajjar and Fatehabad, two each from Panipat, Hisar and Ambala, and one from Karnal.

However, there is a drop in the number of farm fires compared to last year. According to data, 2,262 cases of farm fires were reported during the corresponding period last year.

Dr Dipti Grover, Assistant Professor, Institute of Environmental Studies, Kurukshetra University, said, “Haryana is grappling with significant environmental challenges, particularly in the domains of air quality and weather conditions, which are closely interlinked because of winter. Meteorological factors, such as low temperatures, calm winds, and temperature inversion are trapping pollutants near the ground, worsening the air quality.”

She added, “Sporadic rainfall patterns in the past months have contributed to increased dryness in the atmosphere, further limiting pollutant dispersion. Prolonged exposure to such conditions poses serious health risks, including respiratory issues, cardiovascular diseases, and long-term effects on vulnerable populations, like children and the elderly.”

Meanwhile, Nirmal Kashyap, senior environmental engineer (SEE), Haryana State Pollution Control Board, said, “Topographic and meteorological conditions play a major part in air quality during this particular period of the year. Construction activities have been banned and various other directions have been implemented for industries under GRAP. Sprinkling is being done and the overall situation is gradually improving. There is a hearing in the Supreme Court on Monday, and the court directions will be implemented.”