With the farmers continuing burning stubble in the neighboring states of Punjab and Haryana, the air quality index in the joint capital of two states-Chandigarh- has turned ‘poor’ again.

While rainfall for two consecutive days from November 7 had led to improvement in the air quality, it has again turned ‘poor’, which can cause breathing discomfort to most people on prolonged exposure.

Chandigarh recorded air quality index of 274 at 4 PM on Tuesday. An AQI between 0-50 is considered good, 51-100 satisfactory, 101-200 moderate, 201-300 poor, 301-400 very poor and 401-500 severe.

As per the data observed at continuous ambient air

quality monitoring station (CAAQMS) at Panjab University Sector 25 here, the PM 2.5 levels stood at an average of 274 µg/m and maximum of 320 µg/m on Tuesday while PM10 levels were 148 µg/m on an average and maximum of 220 µg/m in the city.

The permissible limit for PM2.5 is 60 µg/m3while its 100 µg/m3 for PM 10. Both PM 10- (particulate matters with

diameter of 10 microns or less) and PM2.5 (particulate matters less than 2.5 microns)-form of air pollution, can cause severe health problems.

The concentration of sulphur dioxide (SO2) and NOx, however, remained below the permissible levels.Last week, the AQI had turned ‘satisfactory’ in the city and was recorded between 51-100 after rainfall on November 7.

In neighboring Haryana, the AQI was recorded 410 in Gurugram at 6 PM, 410 in Faridabad at 6 PM and 351 in Ambala at 10 AM on Tuesday.

Similarly in Punjab, the AQI was recorded 339 at 12 noon in Patiala and 370 in Bathinda at 6 PM on Tuesday.

Talking to The Pioneer, Surender Pal, Director Meteorological Department, Chandigarh said the AQI has turned “poor” in the city and “severe” in various parts of Punjab and Haryana in last two days.

Due to calm winds, continuing stubble burning in neighboring states and high relative humidity, the air quality index has worsened in the last two days in the region, he said.

While rainfall had last week improved the AQI, the situation is likely to remain like this for few more days. Western disturbances are expected in the region after November 17 that could result in rainfall and improvement in air quality, he added.

Notably, the air quality index was recorded above 300, which is categorized as “very poor”, at various locations in the city on Diwali,October 27.

As per the data with Chandigarh Pollution Control Committee, the air quality index (AQI) was 371 in Sector 22, 352 in IMTECH-Sector 39, 341 in CAAQMS Sector 25, 280 in PEC Sector 12 and 247 in Sector 17 on Diwali.

Following Court directions, bursting of fire crackers was only permissible between 8 PM to 10 PM on Diwali this year. But despite restrictions on bursting the crackers and awareness campaigns not to use crackers, PM 2.5 and PM10 level — particulate matter —was double than what it was last Diwali in the city.