Residents of Chandigarh faced a grim and hazy Saturday as the city's air quality plummeted to its worst level this winter season. For the first time in the cold months, the overall air quality index (AQI) entered the 'very poor' zone, marking a significant deterioration in the atmospheric conditions.
Steady Decline Culminates in 'Very Poor' Air
The day began with a cold, grey blanket of pollutants partially obscuring the sun. Official data reveals a worrying trend of steadily declining air quality over several days. On Saturday, the average AQI crossed the critical 300 mark, officially placing it in the 'very poor' category according to national standards.
The situation peaked in the evening. The 24-hour average AQI was recorded at 302 at 4 pm. It climbed further to 303 around 6 pm, before showing a marginal improvement and dipping slightly to 297 by 9 pm.
A Look at the Preceding Days and Localized Spikes
This alarming spike did not occur in isolation. Over the three preceding days, Chandigarh's air had already been languishing in the 'poor' category. The average AQI was 275 on December 17, followed by 266 on December 18, and 254 on Friday, December 19.
Earlier in December, the AQI had crossed the 200 mark ('poor' category) twice: first on December 5 (213) and again on December 12 (251). On all other days this month, the city's air quality had remained in the 'moderate' range (100-200).
Disturbingly, data from the past week showed that some localities and specific periods witnessed AQI levels soaring past 400, which falls into the 'severe' category. However, the citywide average for those days remained classified as 'poor'.
Station-Wise Data Reflects Widespread Pollution
Readings from various monitoring stations across Chandigarh on Saturday painted a clear picture of widespread pollution:
- Sector 22: The maximum AQI recorded for a 24-hour period at 9 pm was 355. The average stood at 289, with a minimum of 227.
- Sector 25: This station reported some of the highest averages. The maximum AQI touched 331 at 9 pm, with an average of 313 and a minimum of 292.
- Sector 53: Here, the maximum AQI was 341 at 9 pm. The average was 289, and the minimum was 203.
The data underscores that the pollution crisis was not confined to one area but was a city-wide concern, with Sector 25 being particularly affected.
The shift to the 'very poor' category signals a serious public health concern, urging authorities and citizens to take immediate precautionary measures. The consistent decline over days points to compounding factors that need urgent addressal to prevent further deterioration as winter deepens.
