Air quality 'very poor' in five Haryana towns

The Air Quality Index (AQI) reached ‘very poor’ category in Hisar, Fatehabad, Charkhi Dadri, Gurugram and Manesar today due to smog reportedly caused by the burning of paddy residue in several places in the state and the adjoining state of Punjab.

The Central Pollution Control Board’s AQI bulletin revealed that PM (particulate matter) 2.5 has touched 500 points in Hisar and Fatehabad today, which was equivalent to the maximum in Rajasthan’s Hanumangarh district. The average AQI value in Fatehabad was recorded at 322 while Hisar recorded an average AQI of 379.

Sources said there was a possibility of under-reporting of fire incidents in the field, especially in paddy areas of Fatehabad district and the adjoining areas of Hisar and Sirsa districts.

According to the Agriculture Department data, 857 cases of farm fires were reported across the state till yesterday. Kaithal district has the highest number of active fire locations (AFLs) with 158 cases of farm fires, followed by Kurukshetra (129), Karnal (82), Ambala (78), Fatehabad and Jind (both 67). Hisar district reported 23 AFLs till yesterday. However, there are nil reports of AFLs in Hisar and Fatehabad districts today.

Experts say that the heavy particles get suspended due to cold weather coupled with little breeze.

At Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, a thick blanket of smog engulfed the environment causing consternation among sportspersons who practice at the Giri Centre Sports Stadium, besides morning walkers.