Clearing the air on thick envelope of dust over the region, the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) attributed the phenomena to winds blowing from Rajasthan and adjoining deserts and declared it a “natural calamity” before suggesting suspension of construction activity.
Besides, the Board has also asked to avoid exercises and walks till the weather is cleared, while advising the asthmatic, heart, eyes, skin patients and even children to stay indoors.
The particulate matter (PM10) in Punjab’s air has been recorded to be at all time high, which is 5.6 times higher than the normal values of 100 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m3) of air. PM10 is the existing “coarse” particle standard including all particles less than 10 microns in size, and are so small that they can get into the lungs, potentially causing serious health problems. Ten micrometers is less than the width of a single human hair.
Board chairman Kahan Singh Pannu maintained that similar is the situation of PM2.5 which are fine particles such as those found in smoke and haze have diameters less than 2.5 microns.
Pannu said that the Board has issued an advisory to the people of the state after considering the present situation in depth and considering it as a “natural climatic disaster”. “The deterioration in air quality is affecting the human beings, animals and plants as a whole,” he added.
As per figures, the Air Quality Index (AQI) — a measurement of the concentration of toxic particulate matter in air — of major cities in the state was recorded as severe. 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.
“The AQI of ludhiana is 443, Amritsar 454, Mandi Gobindgarh 440, Khanna 389, Patiala 403, Roopnagar 417 which fall in the severe category of air quality,” said Pannu.
On Thursday, three cities from the state — Mandi Gobindgarh, Khanna and ludhiana — were among the top three having worst AQI across the country. Data released by PPCB and the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) revealed that air quality in these three cities along with two others — Amritsar and Rupnagar — was worse than the air quality on Diwali night the previous year.
AQI in Mandi Gobindgarh was recorded at 500-mark, Khanna was second with AQI at 491 and ludhiana with 488 was placed third. Amritsar and Rupnagar also have witnessed AQI of 477 and 438, respectively.
PPCB official told The Pioneer that the air quality “is getting worse each day in the current situation. Friday’s air quality in Punjab cities was worst of the season due to low-level dust storms. It was worse than the AQI recorded on Thursday”.
The official said that a steep decline in air quality was witnessed on Friday, as compared to Thursday, and also from Wednesday. “On Wednesday, Mandi Gobindgarh’s AQI was 323, Amtirsar was at 206, while ludhiana, Khanna and Rupnagar had recorded 193, 150 and 125, respectively, which has now increased further to 443 in ludhiana, 454 in Amritsar, 440 in Mandi Gobindgarh, 389 in Khanna, 403 in Patiala, and 417 in Roopnagar,” added the official.
In the advisory, the Board has asked to “stop henceforth” the construction activities including carpeting of roads. Besides, it has asked to not to carry the sand or soil in open trolleys or trucks for land filling even for the highways and roads.
“The players, athletes, walkers and senior citizens have also been asked to avoid exercises or walks during these days. The patients, particularly asthmatic, heart, eyes patients must remain inside. Also, the parents are advised not to let their children play outside and rather they should be involved in indoor activities,” said the PPCB official.
PPCB has also advised people not to travel for long distances in open trolleys or trucks.
The Board maintained that as per meteorological department forecast, the western disturbances are approaching northern India and rainfall is expected in a day or two to clear this haze and dust and will give relief to the people.
An unpleasant haze has engulfed the northern region including Punjab since past three days, and is taking a serious toll on the residents, patients of respiratory problems in particular.