Smog envelops city, air quality plummets

A layer of smog engulfed the city today and the Air Quality Index (AQI) reached the “very poor” category at 332 points. The AQI readings have consistently surpassed 300 in the past two days.

According to the Central Pollution Control Board, the average air quality index (AQI) shot up to 335 in the city around 8 pm.

At the Sector 53 Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Station (CAAQMS), bordering Mohali, the maximum AQI was recorded at 344, followed closely by the Sector 22 station at 343. At Sector 25 station, the AQI stood at 319.

Experts attribute this worsening air quality to a combination of stubble burning in neighbouring states, falling temperatures and increasing humidity levels, which together trap pollutants in the air.

Dr Ravindra Khaiwal, Professor of Environment Health, Department of Community Medicine, PGI, said winds circulating over Punjab and Haryana passed through Chandigarh in the afternoon. “These possibly carry the pollution load from the nearby region and hence, we see an increase in AQI,” he said, adding that we are seeing more crop residue burning on Punjab and Haryana border and there was a rise in the incidents after Diwali.

With the forecast showing no rain in the coming days, experts warn that the pollution could intensify as temperatures continue to drop.

Measures to curb pollution

The Chandigarh Pollution Control Committee has recommended additional measures to the Municipal Corporation. These include increasing water sprinkling around trees lining roads, intensifying street sweeping in busy market areas and prohibiting the burning of leaves or waste.

The residents have been facing the poor air quality for the past week, especially on Friday and Saturday, when the AQI level consistently exceeded 300.

Meanwhile, the city recorded the minimum temperature of 18.2° C on Saturday, 4.9 notches above the season’s average.