Thick layer of haze in city pushes AQI down to 500

A thick haze has enveloped Jalandhar post Diwali as citizens feel breathlessness, burning eyes, shortness of breath and other accompanying conditions like cough, sore throat, fatigue - all due to the air pollution which has paralysed life, especially for those with respiratory illnesses and COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease).

15 farm fires reported in Kapurthala

• After 78 farm fires in past two days at Kapurthala, the district registered 15 farm fires today. The fires also included a stubble dump at Sultanpur Lodhi which caught fire.
• Chief Agricultural Officer, Kapurthala, Balbir Chand said, “We had been on our toes even around Diwali spreading awareness among farmers. The satellite also picked up many random fires. Many farmers also told us in last two days that crackers and fireworks from Diwali hit their fields setting their stuble on fire. Post Diwali celebrations, there was a dip in farm fires today. The fires this year are also 50 per cent less than last year at Kapurthala.”

There has been an acute rise in problems among those with prior respiratory conditions. Additionally, the polluted air has also set alarm bells ringing for those with asthma, TB, heart or lung disease, diabetes, etc.

After relatively better air conditions yesterday, the AQI again hit a maximum of 500 today with Jalandhar witnessing the highest average AQI of all season at 275 (PM 2.5).

Interestingly, in comparison to the peripheral areas, Jalandhar has recorded fewer farm fires, however, the city’s AQI has seen a steep rise over the Diwali weekend. Until Friday, Jalandhar had reported 54 farm fires.

In a reversal from the previous occasion when the city’s AQI touched 500, Jalandhar, however, remained less polluted than Ludhiana this time where average AQI crossed the 300 mark today.

District TB officer Dr Ritu Dadra said, “The conditions are exceedingly poor these days and the onset of winter every year unfortunately causes an increase in respiratory diseases. Our OPD (at the TB centre) is almost stable with a daily average of 80 to 100 patients per day - on certain days there is a rise by 10 to 20 patients. But the exacerbations reported among the patients have dramatically risen. If we were getting 10 to 12 patients with exacerbations everyday earlier, now we are getting 16 to 18 per day. It is becoming more diffcult for people with compromised respiratory health to insulate themselves amid the dipping air quality.”

Dr Ritu advised people with COPD and respiratory illnesses to exercise caution and avoid cold blast in the morning, ensure use of inhalers, wear a mask, ensure regular medication and to wash hands regularly.