Rain, snow rinse Kashmir air clean

Srinagar, Dec 21: Kashmir breathed a sigh of relief on Sunday as rains and snowfall in some areas dramatically improved air quality, providing a breather in a literal sense to lakhs of residents here who were choking under thick and heavy smog.

The Air Quality Index (AQI) in Srinagar had been hovering in the “unhealthy” to “severe” range in recent days, spiking to “poor” occasionally. On Sunday evening, the AQI levels in Srinagar returned to “moderate”, signaling a possible drop in respiratory ailments.

The PM2.5 levels in Srinagar (Raj Bagh Station) dropped to 29 on Sunday, and PM10 to 46.

Srinagar and central Kashmir AQI have been a source of distress and disease for residents.

Rainfall was awaited and anticipated to bring about a change in dangerously particulate-laden air.

Kashmir has had an acute dry phase with over 80 percent rainfall deficit since October.

The improvement in AQI comes after moderate rains started early Sunday morning.

Rainfall started earlier in many other parts of Kashmir.

Higher elevations, including popular tourist spots like Gulmarg and Pahalgam, recorded fresh snowfall.

The precipitation settled down particulate matter that had remained dispersed in the air for over a month.

The air quality in Srinagar and other parts of Kashmir deteriorated to levels considered unhealthy for most people.

A spike in respiratory ailments was reported by hospitals, with children and the elderly most affected, while people suffering from asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) had worsening of their condition.

In Khanmoh Khrew station, AQI of 216 was recorded on Sunday, spiked to the “poor” air quality category due to two “unusual readings”.

In the wee hours, AQI 396 and 406 were recorded at the station, although preceding and succeeding AQI readings have been much lower.

Chairperson J&K Pollution Control Committee (JK PCC), Vasu Yadav, said the monitoring station at Khrew was being evaluated for possible faults as it had given unusual readings recently.

This weather shift not only marked the beginning of Chillai Kalan but also lifted minimum temperatures.

Environmental experts attribute the rapid turn to the cleansing effect of rainfall.

It washes away fine particulate matter.

Rain and snow has for long been considered as a harbinger of respite in respiratory ailments in Kashmir.

The topography of Kashmir exacerbates pollution buildup caused by temperature inversion and prolonged dry season.

The PM 2.5 and PM10 levels have been pushed higher over the years due to an increase in human activity, vehicular emissions, and constructions of every kind.

On December 20, Srinagar’s AQI peaked at 164, classified as “unhealthy”.