A thick blanket of smog has enveloped Chandigarh, casting a shadow over the city's famed "City Beautiful" image. The Air Quality Index (AQI) crossed a grim milestone, surpassing 500 and entering the "severe" category, a level that poses significant health risks to residents, particularly children and the elderly.
This alarming situation has spurred authorities to consider closing schools to protect vulnerable populations. Congress MP Manish Tewari added his voice to the growing concern, urging the Chandigarh Administrator to take decisive action if the hazardous conditions persist.
"Chandigarh has an AQI of 500 today. If things stay this way I urge the Hon’ble Governor of Punjab and Administrator of Chandigarh @Gulab_kataria to seriously consider shutting down all schools, especially for small children till the situation mitigates,” Tewari posted on X.
While Chandigarh's AQI has fluctuated throughout the day, hovering in the high 400s at various monitoring stations, the severity of the situation remains undeniable. Visibility has been significantly reduced, and residents are experiencing the adverse effects of the heavy smog, including respiratory distress and eye irritation.
Understanding the AQI:
The AQI is a crucial tool for measuring air quality and its potential impact on human health. It categorizes air quality into six levels:
- Good (0-50): Minimal impact
- Satisfactory (51-100): Minor breathing discomfort for very few hypersensitive individuals.
- Moderate (101-200): Breathing discomfort for people with lung disease, such as asthma, children, and older adults.
- Poor (201-300): Breathing discomfort to most people on prolonged exposure.
- Very Poor (301-400): Respiratory illness on prolonged exposure.
- Severe (401-500): Affects healthy people and seriously impacts those with existing diseases.
Factors contributing to the smog:
This alarming spike in pollution can be attributed to a confluence of factors, including:
- Stubble burning: The ongoing practice of agricultural stubble burning in neighboring states, particularly Punjab and Haryana, releases massive amounts of smoke and particulate matter into the atmosphere.
- Vehicular emissions: The increasing number of vehicles on Chandigarh's roads contributes significantly to air pollution.
- Industrial activity: Emissions from industrial units in and around the city add to the pollution burden.
- Construction dust: Ongoing construction projects generate dust that further deteriorates air quality.
- Weather conditions: Stagnant air and low wind speeds trap pollutants, exacerbating the smog.
The current air quality crisis in Chandigarh underscores the urgent need for comprehensive measures to address the root causes of pollution. A multi-pronged approach involving stricter enforcement of regulations on stubble burning, promoting sustainable agricultural practices, encouraging the use of public transport, and investing in green initiatives is crucial to ensure a healthier and more breathable future for the city.
