For the first time this winter season, Chandigarh's air quality entered the hazardous 'severe' category, with pollution levels in some parts of the city breaching the critical 400-mark on the Air Quality Index (AQI) for multiple hours. The overall air quality for the day remained in the 'poor' category, marking a significant deterioration in the city's atmospheric conditions.
Sharp Decline Post-Midday
According to the latest data released by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the city's air quality began a sharp downward spiral after midday. By evening, the ambient air had degraded to the 'very poor' category across Chandigarh, with several localities plunging into the 'severe' zone. The 24-hour average AQI for the city stood at 295 at 9 PM, after registering 275 at 4 PM the same day.
Key Hotspots and Monitoring Station Data
The areas surrounding the Sector 22 air quality monitoring station witnessed the most alarming readings. Here, the AQI fluctuated between a minimum of 293 and a maximum of 413. Crucially, for nearly two hours between 7 PM and 9 PM, the AQI consistently remained above the 400 threshold, defining 'severe' air quality. A slight improvement was noted after 9 PM, with the index dropping to 395. The average AQI for this station at 9 PM was 328, firmly in the 'very poor' range.
At the Sector 25 air monitoring station, the average AQI from 6 AM onwards was recorded at 266 ('poor'). However, by evening, the maximum AQI here had also crossed into 'very poor' territory, reaching 359. Similarly, the Sector 53 monitoring station reported 'very poor' air for several hours during the day, with a peak AQI of 345 and an average hovering around 290.
A Recurring Winter Pattern
This episode adds to a worrying trend observed this December. Data indicates that the city's average AQI has already crossed the 200-mark into the 'poor' category on three separate days this month: December 5, December 12, and December 17. The latest severe spike underscores the persistent challenge of winter pollution in the region, demanding immediate attention from authorities and citizens alike.
