Bhubaneswar’s AQI crosses 1,200 after Diwali celebrations

Advertisement

Bhubaneswar: According to data from AQI.in, Bhubaneswar’s AQI stood at 1,091 at 9 pm on Sunday and increased to 1,254 by 9:30 pm.

The platform categorised the air quality as ‘hazardous’ and ranked Bhubaneswar as the third most polluted city in the country at that time.

The platform also recorded PM2.5 levels of 622 micrograms per cubic metre and PM10 levels of 750 micrograms per cubic metre at 9 pm. These airborne particles can enter the respiratory system and pose health risks.

Air quality concerns were also reported in other Odisha cities. According to the American AQI standard on the Airleaf platform, Cuttack recorded an AQI of 156 at 4:30 am on Monday, while Balasore registered 107 at 5:30 am.

Advertisement

However, these readings are from private monitoring platforms and should not be confused with the official daily AQI released by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

Without comparable readings from before and after Diwali, the exact increase in pollution levels cannot be established.

The Odisha government had permitted firecracker bursting between 7 pm and 9 pm on Diwali. However, Bhubaneswar continued to record high pollution levels even after the permitted period.

The deteriorating air quality is a concern, particularly for children, elderly people and those suffering from respiratory illnesses. Residents are advised to remain cautious and monitor air quality updates.

Also Read: 10 injured as Bolero crashes into tree in Kandhamal

Advertisement