Air pollution rises to pre-Covid level in most cities of UP
Pollution in Uttar Pradesh has increased to the pre-Covid-19 level as major cities recorded ‘poor’ to ‘very poor’ air quality this week, as per the data released by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
Major cities including Noida, Ghaziabad, Lucknow and Kanpur recorded AQI (Air Quality Index) between 201 and 310 level for the first time since nationwide lockdown was imposed. AQI between 201 and 300 is termed as poor while that between 301 and 499 is termed very poor. Poor or very poor air quality can lead to breathing difficulties and can damage human health over a long period.
On Saturday the average AQI of Lucknow was recorded at 226, Noida 206, Ghaziabad 248. Muzzafarnagar with AQI of 265 was the most polluted city in UP. The AQI in Moradabad, Kanpur, Bulandshehr was also recorded in the same range as per CPCB data.
Experts believe that the recent change in weather is a major contributor to the change. “The average day temperatures have gone down by around 5 degrees in a month. It has a direct impact on the air quality as the particulate matter remains suspended in the air for a longer duration,”
Increased human activities, including vehicular movement and construction work have affected the air quality.
ON SATURDAY AQI OF LUCKNOW WAS RECORDED AT 226. MUZZAFARNAGAR WITH AQI OF 265 WAS THE MOST POLLUTED CITY IN UP.
said senior ecologist Devraj Mishra. “The cold temperatures along with the increase in human activities have affected the air quality,” he added.
UP like most parts of the country experienced a long stretch of clean air during the months of lockdown. The dry monsoon also helped in checking the AQI levels until the start
of September. Since then the air quality has gone downhill. Ramit Verma, a retired professor who lives in Mahanagar said, “I have started feeling the burning sensation in my nostrils during the evening. I used to feel similar discomfort during the same time last year.”
The air quality is expected to turn worse during the upcoming Kharif harvest season when farmers will burn their agriculture waste like stubble in the farm itself.
Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) has started making efforts to contain the stubble burning. The board recently directed district administrations to get in touch with farmers and devise ways to avoid stubble burning.