Weather gets dustier; people suffer, pollution board issues advisory

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, June 15

For the last two days, the dust-laden storms have engulfed the region. People could be seen wearing masks while commuting, to guard themselves from the dust.

Persons suffering from breathing problems also did not go out of their homes due to the bad weather.

Navneet Misser, a yoga lover. Misser said he did not go for yoga as the weather was not suitable for the same.

Subhash Trikha, a bank employee who has a severe dust allergy said he went to the office with much difficulty. “I face a lot of respiratory problems in this weather. Today, dust was in excess, so I took my medicine in advance to be safe,” he added.

PPCB issues advisory

Now even Punjab Pollution control board (PPCB) has called it a natural climatic disaster. Such is the problem that the board has asked the resident not to get indulged in any kind of exercise.

The boards’s order states said since last the two days there was a lot of dust in the atmosphere due to wind flowing from Rajasthan and adjoining deserts thereby disturbing the air quality index (AQI) of Northern India.

The order by the board reads, “It has also been considered that this deterioration in air quality is affecting the human beings, animals and plants as a whole.

The instructions include that the construction activities including carpeting of roads should be stopped henceforth.

“The sand/ soil must not be carried in open trolleys for land filling even for highways and roads. The players, athletes, walkers and senior citizens should avoid exercises and walks during these days. The patients, particularly asthmatic, heart, eyes patients, must remain inside. Parents are advised not to let their children play outside and rather they should be involved in indoor activities.

The board’s circular also reads that as per the Meteorological Department, the western disturbances are approaching northern India and rainfall is expected in a day or two which will most likely clear the dust.