No farm fires in 24 hrs, yet AQI poor

Even as the state has recorded zero stubble-burning incidents in the past 24 hours, the air quality remains poor to very poor across several districts of Haryana. As per the data of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) on Monday, the air quality index (AQI) of multiple districts indicates alarming levels.

Hisar among most polluted cities

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• On Monday, Hisar was among the most polluted cities of the country, which recorded an AQI of 379, while Fatehabad’s AQI reached 322, both categorised as “very poor”
• Similarly, Gurugram and Manesar registered AQI levels of 310 and 305, respectively, falling within the same category

Hisar was among the most polluted cities of the country, which recorded an AQI of 379, while Fatehabad’s AQI reached 322, both categorised as “very poor.”

Similarly, Gurugram and Manesar registered AQI levels of 310 and 305, respectively, falling within the same category. Other districts such as Jind (289), Sirsa (281), Bahadurgarh (275), Rohtak (266), Faridabad (260), Karnal (256), Sonepat (254), Dharuhera (242), Ballabgarh (236), Kurukshetra (230), Kaithal (228), Bhiwani (214), Yamunanagar (213), and Ambala (206) recorded AQI levels in the “poor” category.

The CPCB’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.

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 official 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.