Patiala: Due to the western disturbances that brought widespread rains to the region, the ambient air quality index (AQI) of Punjab has registered a big improvement in the last two days. The state was facing high levels of pollution till December 10, with the AQI of over 250 micrograms per cubic metre caused due to 'winter inversion,' a phenomenon in which suspended particulate matter gets concentrated in the lower strata of the atmosphere due to reduced dispersion of the pollutants.
The AQI went down to 84 micrograms per cubic metre at Amritsar on Monday. It dropped further to 68 micrograms per cubic metre on Tuesday bringing the state's air quality in the bracket of 'good' with minimal impact on health.
While the compiled data of the air monitoring station at Ludhiana was not available for December 10 and 11, on Tuesday the city had an AQI of 184 micrograms per cubic metre, which was in the bracket of moderate that is considered capable of causing breathing discomfort to people with asthma and diseases of lungs and heart.
The reading taken from the monitoring station at Mandi Gobindgarh on December 7 showed the AQI of 264 micrograms per cubic metre. It went down to 181 micrograms per cubic metre on Monday.
Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) chairperson K S Pannu said the change in weather, especially rains and strong winds, had brought the much-needed relief to the state. He said experts were expecting that the AQI would remain satisfactory over the next couple of days and the state would continue to breathe good air unless there is a sudden increase in air pollution.
Till a few days ago, the monitoring stations at Amritsar, Ludhiana and Mandi Gobindgarh were showing readings of 240, 283 and 286 micrograms per cubic metre respectively, putting the state's air quality in the bracket of 'poor'.
Earlier, when the paddy residue was being burnt across Punjab, the AQI monitors were reflecting readings of 320 micrograms per cubic metre at Amritsar, 332 micrograms per cubic metre at Ludhiana and 371 micrograms per cubic metre at Mandi Gobindgarh, in the bracket of 'very poor'.
The AQI went down to 84 micrograms per cubic metre at Amritsar on Monday. It dropped further to 68 micrograms per cubic metre on Tuesday bringing the state's air quality in the bracket of 'good' with minimal impact on health.
While the compiled data of the air monitoring station at Ludhiana was not available for December 10 and 11, on Tuesday the city had an AQI of 184 micrograms per cubic metre, which was in the bracket of moderate that is considered capable of causing breathing discomfort to people with asthma and diseases of lungs and heart.
The reading taken from the monitoring station at Mandi Gobindgarh on December 7 showed the AQI of 264 micrograms per cubic metre. It went down to 181 micrograms per cubic metre on Monday.
Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) chairperson K S Pannu said the change in weather, especially rains and strong winds, had brought the much-needed relief to the state. He said experts were expecting that the AQI would remain satisfactory over the next couple of days and the state would continue to breathe good air unless there is a sudden increase in air pollution.
Till a few days ago, the monitoring stations at Amritsar, Ludhiana and Mandi Gobindgarh were showing readings of 240, 283 and 286 micrograms per cubic metre respectively, putting the state's air quality in the bracket of 'poor'.
Earlier, when the paddy residue was being burnt across Punjab, the AQI monitors were reflecting readings of 320 micrograms per cubic metre at Amritsar, 332 micrograms per cubic metre at Ludhiana and 371 micrograms per cubic metre at Mandi Gobindgarh, in the bracket of 'very poor'.
Get latest news & live updates on the go on your pc with News App. Download The Times of India news app for your device.
