For the third day in a row, the residents of Chandigarh breathed polluted air as the city's air quality remained in the 'poor' category on Friday. The situation worsened significantly in the evening hours, with multiple locations recording spells of 'very poor' air quality, according to official data.
CPCB Data Reveals Alarming Evening Spike
Data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) painted a concerning picture. The average Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded at 4 pm on Friday stood at 254, firmly in the 'poor' range. However, as the day progressed towards evening, the pollution levels intensified across multiple monitoring stations.
Sector-Wise Breakdown of Pollution Levels
The air quality around the Sector 22 monitoring station was in the 'moderate' range for most of the daylight hours. However, a sharp decline was observed after 6 pm, with the AQI crossing the 300-mark, pushing it into the 'very poor' category. The 24-hour average AQI at this station, calculated at 9 pm, was 265.
A nearly identical trend was witnessed near the Sector 25 station. Here too, the AQI remained above 300 during the evening, with the 9 pm average settling at 258. Meanwhile, at the Sector 53 monitoring station, the 9 pm AQI reading was 243, with evening measurements also consistently falling within the 'very poor' bracket.
A Persistent Pattern of Deterioration
The consistent pattern over three days indicates a troubling trend of air quality degradation, particularly during the late afternoon and evening periods. The shift from 'moderate' or 'poor' to 'very poor' levels as the day ends suggests contributing factors that peak during these hours, such as increased vehicular traffic, meteorological conditions like lowering temperatures and calm winds, and possibly local pollution sources.
The sustained 'poor' and 'very poor' air quality poses health risks, especially for vulnerable groups including children, the elderly, and individuals with pre-existing respiratory and cardiovascular conditions. Authorities often advise limiting prolonged outdoor exposure when AQI levels cross such thresholds.
