Slight relief after toxic air engulfs Amritsar

After a late-night and early-morning spike in AQI levels, which recorded close to 600, the city witnessed some relief as levels dropped to 250 by evening, though still categorised as “unhealthy.” This marks the third consecutive day that Amritsar has recorded AQI levels above 200, falling within the “poor” to “unhealthy” range. At the time of filing this report, the Ambient Air Quality Index for Amritsar stood at 237.

The recent spike is attributed to the unabated burning of firecrackers that continued over two consecutive days — October 20 and 21 — during Diwali and Bandi Chhor Diwas celebrations. The PM 2.5 levels also remained dangerously high, hovering near 100, far above the WHO’s recommended limits.

Despite a slight dip from the hazardous levels witnessed at midnight, the overall air quality remains far from safe.