Dusty weather chokes city

Minna Zutshi

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, June 14

With the air quality index of 488, the city remained enveloped in a haze of dust on Thursday. The air quality remained "severe" till late evening. The health impact of 'severe' air quality is that it affects healthy people and seriously impacts those with existing diseases.

The prominent pollutant in Ludhiana today was PM10. "I was exercising in the open when I felt unease. Immediately, I discontinued the exercise and went indoors. After some rest, I felt better," said Satnam Singh, a 25-year-old youth. The elderly and the sick had an even tougher time. "My mother, who was travelling to a village, complained of difficulty in breathing. She was advised to cut short her trip," said another city resident.

According to Surinder Paul, director, Chandigarh Meteorological Centre, "The main reason for such a situation is the prevalence of WSW (West South West) strong surface wind of the order of 40-50 kmph in north-western parts, viz. Rajasthan and adjoining plain, bringing dust to Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh and most part of Indo-Gangetic plain." The prevailing dusty/hazy conditions are likely to continue during the next 24-36 hours, say the Met experts. The conditions will dissipate later in view of the approaching western disturbance which will affect North India from tomorrow evening