Hindustan Times (Lucknow)

Corona curfew, rain help improve air quality in UP cities

- HT Correspond­ent letters@htlive.com

LUCKNOW: The cyclone –induced rain and the curbs during the period of corona curfew in Uttar Pradesh helped better the Air Quality Index (AQI) of many cities in May as per data of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). The average AQI of Uttar Pradesh in May was recorded below 150 , similar to that recorded last year and one of the lowest since 2000.

The average AQI recorded in Lucknow between May 1 to May 30 this year, was around 150. In 2020, when country-wide lockdown was imposed to curb the spread of Covid-19, the city had recorded a similar AQI. However, in 2019 the average AQI in Lucknow was recorded at around 300 in the month of May.

According to CPCB classifica­tion, AQI between 101 to 200 is categorise­d as moderate with very little impact on human health and AQI between 201 and 300 as poor. AQI between 301 and 400 is categorise­d as very poor and that above 400 as severe.

According to experts, beside corona curfew curbs, the above average rainfall across the state also led to improvemen­t of air quality. The state recorded more than 60 mm of rainfall in May, almost double than the normal rainfall “The state recorded around 12 days of rainfall caused by western disturbanc­es or conditions caused first by Tauktae and Yaas cyclones. There were rain, thundersto­rms and strong winds in most parts of the state,” said state MeT department director JP Gupta.

These weather conditions helped AQI of major UP cities to improve considerab­ly. Cities like Lucknow, Agra, Noida, Moradabad, Kanpur and Baghpat which record the worst AQI in the country showed considerab­le improvemen­t in their AQI this month.

Meanwhile, experts warn that the improvemen­t is temporary which will subside as the curbs are relaxed in the state. “The improvemen­t in AQI of UP cities in May is a positive sign but these changes are temporary that will subside quickly with relaxation of corona curfew norms. The citizens and decision-makers must try to make arrangemen­ts so that we can have cleaner air all around the year,” said senior environmen­talist Devesh Kumar.

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