With the onset of winter across north India, the chilly air is not the only problem—pollution levels are also causing serious concerns. Dense fog has been reported in many areas of Punjab and Haryana, bringing visibility down to zero in some places. Alongside the fog, the air quality in the region has worsened, making it harder for residents to breathe easy.
Air quality woes in Chandigarh, Punjab, and Haryana
On Friday, Chandigarh and several parts of Haryana recorded "very poor" air quality, while conditions in neighbouring Punjab were slightly better. This improvement in Punjab's air quality might bring some relief to Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, especially after the state was blamed for contributing to pollution in Delhi and Pakistan's Lahore.
In response to the criticism, Chief Minister Mann emphasised the need for cooperation between states instead of a "blame game" to address pollution. He urged a collective effort to find a solution.
Chandigarh, often called "The City Beautiful," experienced a slight improvement in air quality after a particularly bad day on Thursday. On Friday at 11 a.m., the city's average Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 323, a drop from 425 recorded at the same time the previous day, when Chandigarh had the worst air quality in the country. At that time, Delhi closely followed with an AQI of 423.
By 10 a.m. on Friday, the Central Pollution Control Board’s Sameer app, which provides hourly air quality updates, showed Chandigarh’s AQI at 327. This was a relief after Thursday, when the city’s air quality fell into the "severe" category for the first time this season.
Air quality in several areas of Haryana remained in the "very poor" category on Friday, indicating significant health risks for residents.
In Punjab, the situation was relatively better, with major cities like Amritsar recording an AQI of 225, Ludhiana at 178, Mandi Gobindgarh at 203, Rupnagar at 228, and Jalandhar at 241. These figures are still far from ideal, but they are notably lower than the hazardous levels seen in neighboring regions.
Delhi's air quality still 'severe'
As of 6:15 a.m. on Friday, the average AQI in Delhi was 409, classified as "severe." This level of pollution poses a serious health risk to the population, particularly vulnerable groups like children, the elderly, and those with respiratory conditions.
Understanding AQI levels
- 0-50: Good
- 51-100: Satisfactory
- 101-200: Moderate
- 201-300: Poor
- 301-400: Very Poor
- 401-450: Severe
- Above 450: Severe Plus
The role of stubble burning
One of the major factors contributing to the rise in pollution levels is stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana after the paddy harvest in October and November. This practice is often blamed for the spike in air pollution in Delhi, leading to an annual debate over its impact and calls for better management practices to prevent harmful emissions.
As North India braces for the winter months, air quality remains a pressing issue, demanding urgent attention from both authorities and residents.
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