NORTH-WEST WINDS HELPED IN BRINGING AQI DOWN: MET OFFICIAL

HISAR: THE air quality of Hisar and surrounding districts will improve in next two days, official at Meteorological (MET) department located at the Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University (CCSHAU) said on Tuesday.

The official attributed the recent north-west winds to the improvement while striking a cautionary note on stubble burning, which is likely to spike the AQI level.

Meteorology and agriculture department head MS Khichar said, “The northwest winds dropped the AQI level in Hisar region and people of Sirsa, Fatehabad, Hisar, Bhiwani and Jind district will get a little relief within next few days. But stubble burning will bring the AQI level up again.”

The administration has so far registered seven different cases of stubble burning, said deputy commissioner (DC) Ashok Kumar Meena , adding that strict action will be taken against the erring officials.

Meena said no farmer will be allowed to use combine machine without permission and action will be taken under Section 31 A of the Air (Prevention of the Pollution) Act, if found guilty.

“The administration is writing to the sarpanches to keep strict vigil on stubble burning cases and a similar letter will be released to the block development panchayat officers concerned as well,” he said.

The AQI has been breaching the ‘severe’ level in Hisar since October 25, recording a maximum of 499 on November 2 .

Sources said the top brass in Chandigarh have asked the DCS of Sirsa, Fatehabad, Kaithal, Jind and Karnal to keep a strict vigil on stubble burning cases.