Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, October 19
The burning of effigies of the demons, along with bursting of firecrackers, led to a deterioration in the air quality of the city. The air quality turned poor from moderate around 8 pm today.
According to data collected by the Chandigarh Pollution Control Committee, the air quality index (AQI) of the city was 247 at 8 pm after the effigies were burnt at over 80 places in the city. At 9 pm, the AQI deteriorated further to 280. Earlier in the day, the AQI was 113 before the effigies were burnt. The air quality turned poor after smoke billowed out of the effigies.
An AQI between 0 and 50 is considered good, 51 and 100 satisfactory, 101 and 200 moderate, 201 and 300 poor, 301 and 400 very poor and between 401 and 500 severe. The worsening of the AQI can cause breathing discomfort among people with lung or heart diseases. The air quality index in the city was recorded at 187 on Thursday and at 83 on Wednesday. As compared to Chandigarh, the AQI was better in Panchkula at 103.