Air pollution before Diwali in Himachal: AQI level of 5 cities crossed 100

The major reason for this is said to be dust and stubble being burnt in the neighboring states.

Shimla: Ahead of Diwali, the air in Himachal has started getting polluted. This is worsening the Air Quality Index (AQI). The AQI of 5 cities of the state has crossed the level of 100. The major reason for this is said to be dust and stubble being burnt in the neighboring states.

Baddi’s AQI level has become the worst with 177. However, on October 25, the AQI in Baddi had reached 233. But then the AQI level in all other cities of the state was below 100. On October 28, the AQI of three cities in Una, Paonta Sahib and Baddi had crossed 100.

On the other hand, two days ago, the air of Shimla, Dharamshala, and Manali was absolutely clean and the AQI level of these three cities was less than 50 micrograms. Now the AQI level has crossed 50 micrograms in all three places. It is a matter of concern that AQI level of 5 cities crossed 100 simultaneously in Carbon Credit State Himachal.

Shimla’s AQI was 32 micrograms 2 days ago. In the last 24 hours, it increased to 52 micrograms. Similarly, on October 28, Manali’s AQI was 28 micrograms which is now 89 micrograms, Dharamshala’s AQI has increased from 45 micrograms two days ago to 67. This shows that the air quality in all the cities of the state has started deteriorating. It is a matter of relief that the level has not crossed 200 in any city of the state yet, which is considered very bad.