Residents of Chandigarh grappled with hazardous air on Monday as the city's air quality index (AQI) deteriorated sharply, plunging many areas into the 'very poor' category for extended periods. While the city's average AQI remained in the 'poor' bracket, several localities suffered significantly worse pollution levels throughout the day.
Sharp Deterioration Post-Morning Hours
The decline in air quality began around 11 am across most parts of the city. By evening, the situation had worsened considerably, with very poor air becoming the norm in numerous sectors. Data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) painted a grim picture: the average AQI at 4 pm was recorded at 253, but it escalated to 280 by 10 pm, indicating a persistent and worsening trend.
Sector-Wise Breakdown Reveals Critical Spikes
The air monitoring station at Sector 22 witnessed a dramatic fall in air quality. Starting at a moderate AQI of 187 around 11 am, conditions deteriorated sharply, turning very poor by 1 pm with an AQI of 321. The pollution peaked at 351 around 3 pm. By 10 pm, the average for the station stood at 283, confirming a day dominated by poor to very poor air.
The situation was most severe around the Sector 25 monitoring station, where the average AQI at 10 pm was a worrying 310. Mirroring the city-wide pattern, air quality here also nosedived after 11 am. The maximum AQI of 374 was recorded around 6 pm, placing it deep in the 'very poor' zone and highlighting a critical pollution hotspot.
Areas around the Sector 53 station fared relatively better, with an average AQI of 246 at 10 pm. However, the pattern of decline was identical. Air quality was moderate until 11 am before falling sharply, reaching a maximum of 329 around 3 pm. Some improvement was noted by evening, bringing the category back to 'poor'.
December's Troubling Air Quality Trend
Monday's spike adds to a concerning pattern of poor air days in Chandigarh this December. Data on the worst air quality days, based on averages recorded at 4 pm, shows a troubling list:
- December 20 | AQI 302
- December 26 | AQI 276
- December 17 | AQI 275
- December 18 | AQI 266
- December 19 | AQI 254
The repeated breaches into the 'very poor' category underscore a persistent environmental and public health challenge for the city, demanding urgent attention and action from authorities and citizens alike.
