Ludhiana, Oct 21: Ludhiana woke up to thick smog on Tuesday morning, registering the highest air pollution in Punjab with an AQI of 282, a day after Diwali celebrations. Residents reported haze lingering in the city, which gradually dispersed as the day progressed.
According to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data, Mandi Gobindgarh followed with an AQI of 275, while Jalandhar, Amritsar, and Patiala recorded 239, 212, and 206, respectively, placing all cities in the “poor” category. Khanna, Rupnagar, and Bathinda recorded moderate AQI levels of 144, 142, and 140. The state’s average AQI stood at 234, lower than last year’s post-Diwali average of 255 but still a concern.
An AQI between 0–50 is considered “good,” 51–100 “satisfactory,” 101–200 “moderate,” 201–300 “poor,” 301–400 “very poor,” 401–450 “severe,” and above 450 “severe plus,” according to CPCB guidelines.
Authorities cautioned that air quality could worsen as more residents celebrate Diwali on Tuesday evening with firecrackers. The Punjab Pollution Control Board has reiterated strict adherence to regulations, allowing only green firecrackers to be burst between 8 pm and 10 pm.
Meanwhile, neighboring Haryana saw even worse readings in several areas. Bahadurgarh recorded an AQI of 358, Jind 350, and Gurugram’s Sector 51 and Vikas Sadan 348 and 325, respectively. Rohtak measured 343, Bhiwani 307, Kaithal 290, Faridabad 249, Sonepat 255, Karnal 225, Kurukshetra 234, Panipat 231, and Sirsa 296. Most cities fell into the “very poor” category, raising concerns over public health.
Residents were advised to limit outdoor activities, especially for children, the elderly, and those with respiratory conditions. The sudden spike in pollution comes after last week’s relatively moderate air quality in the region, highlighting the immediate impact of Diwali celebrations on urban air.
