For the second day in a row, Chandigarh residents breathed 'poor' quality air on Thursday, with the city's average Air Quality Index (AQI) registering at 266. The situation worsened at times, slipping into the 'very poor' category, as dense fog enveloped the city, severely reducing visibility and prompting weather warnings.
Air Quality Dips Across Monitoring Stations
The 24-hour average AQI on Thursday was recorded at 266, following a reading of 275 on Wednesday. The air pollution levels showed significant fluctuations throughout the day at various monitoring stations. Around the Sector 22 air monitoring station, the AQI had peaked at a worrying 415 around 11 pm on Wednesday. Although it improved through the morning, it spiked again to a maximum of 341 (very poor) at around 2 pm and 9 pm on Thursday.
In the vicinity of the Sector 25 monitoring station, air quality was comparatively better, remaining in the 'moderate' category until about 2 pm. However, a sharp decline was observed later, pushing the AQI past the 300 mark into 'very poor' territory, reaching 310 by 9 pm.
The Sector 53 station reported moderate air for most of the daylight hours. Post 2 pm, however, the air quality deteriorated significantly, with multiple periods of 'very poor' conditions, especially during the evening hours.
Dense Fog Grips City, Orange Alert Issued
Adding to the concerns, a thick blanket of fog descended on Chandigarh, drastically reducing visibility. Visibility plunged to just 100 metres at Sector 39. The local Met Centre has issued an orange alert for both Friday and Saturday, warning of "dense to very dense fog." Forecasters predict visibility could drop below 50 metres, making morning commutes extremely challenging for the public. Very dense fog conditions have already been recorded at the airport.
Weather Outlook and Temperatures
While the fog and pollution create a haze, temperatures remained on the milder side. The maximum temperature settled at 21.9 degrees Celsius, which is one degree above the seasonal normal. The minimum temperature was 9.9 degrees Celsius, two degrees above normal. The meteorological department does not forecast any rainfall for Chandigarh over the coming five days, although neighbouring Punjab might experience light showers between December 20 and 22. The sky is expected to remain partly cloudy for the next three days before clearing up by December 22.
The combination of stagnant pollutants and foggy conditions is creating a persistent environmental challenge for the city, with authorities urging citizens, especially those with respiratory issues, to take necessary precautions.
