The air quality in Chandigarh has significantly improved, with the average Air Quality Index (AQI) dropping to 168 around 8 pm, falling into the “moderate” category. On November 12, the air quality had worsened, reaching “very poor” and “severe” levels after 6 pm. The Sector 53 monitoring station recorded a “severe” AQI, while Sector 22, PEC (Sector 12), and IMTECH stations had “very poor” levels with AQI reaching 453, 392, 301, and 360, respectively. Despite the highest AQI in five years observed at three monitoring stations, post-Diwali, the air quality improved. The AQI at Sector 53 was 225, Sector 22 recorded 154, and Sector 25 station had an AQI of 125. The city experienced its first average AQI of 205 this season last Sunday due to various factors like weather changes, vehicular emissions, and farm fires in neighbouring areas. On November 10, the air quality dropped to “very poor,” with the maximum AQI at Sector 22 AQMS recorded at 364 and the minimum at 35. Professor Ravindra Khaiwal mentioned that the improvement in AQI is attributed to settled dust particles, clear skies, and the impact of Diwali falling in November, impacting climatic conditions and stubble burning, leading to occasional “very poor” air quality causing discomfort, especially for vulnerable groups.
