Chandigarh, 14 November 2024: Chandigarh’s air quality plunged into the ‘severe’ category as the AQI soared to 424 at the Sector 22 monitoring station, marking the worst reading this season. The Sector 53 station recorded 419, while Sector 25 saw 335, pushing the city’s average to 393. This marks the sixth consecutive day in the ‘very poor’ range, the longest spell since 2020.
Experts like Dr. Ravindra Khaiwal of PGI highlighted factors like stubble burning, meteorological conditions, and pollutants like PM2.5 as key contributors. He noted, “Winter conditions limit pollutant dispersal, causing significant build-up.”
The Chandigarh administration issued an advisory, urging residents to avoid outdoor activities during mornings and evenings, refrain from burning materials like wood or kerosene, and practice wet mopping to minimize dust. Health experts like Dr. Ashutosh N Aggarwal warned of the dangers, noting that smog exacerbates respiratory issues, causing throat irritation, shortness of breath, and aggravating chronic lung diseases.
Recent comparisons showed Chandigarh’s AQI worse than Delhi’s, with readings of 343 and 334 respectively. The city, despite its significant tree cover, also lagged behind Ludhiana, which recorded a moderate AQI of 206. The spike follows Diwali celebrations, where the AQI had already reached hazardous levels at 395, and lingering smog continued to impact visibility and health across the city.
