- विज्ञापन -
Jaipur: The air quality in Jaipur has deteriorated to the ‘very poor’ category, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) in the Mansarovar area hitting 344. Elsewhere in the city, the AQI remained in the ‘poor’ category, exceeding 200.
Other cities in Rajasthan, including Jhalawar, Sikar, Sawai Madhopur, and Sri Ganganagar, also reported ‘poor’ air quality levels. On Thursday, the AQI readings were 245 in Jhalawar, 279 in Sikar, 204 in Sawai Madhopur, 324 in Tonk, and 242 in Sri Ganganagar. In Kota’s Shrinath Puram area, the AQI was recorded at 294, according to officials from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
The CPCB defines AQI categories as follows: “poor” for levels between 200 and 300, “very poor” for 301 to 400, “severe” for 401 to 450, and “severe plus” for levels above 450. Experts warn that those in sensitive groups may feel adverse health effects immediately, while healthy individuals could experience breathing difficulties and throat irritation with extended exposure.
On Wednesday, AQI levels in Jaipur, Ganganagar, Sikar, and Bhiwadi (Khairthal) were above 300, falling within the red zone. Bhiwadi recorded the highest level at 342, followed by Jaipur at 325, Ganganagar at 305, and Sikar at 310. Churu and Jhunjhunu also reported poor air quality, with AQI readings of 228 and 226, respectively, marking them as orange zone areas.
The recent northern winds in Rajasthan have intensified cold temperatures and increased fog, contributing to the deteriorating air quality across the region. In Jaipur, sunlight has become scarce due to the thick smog, with daytime temperatures dropping between 25 and 28 degrees Celsius.
In response to the escalating pollution levels, government and private schools in the Khairthal-Tijara district have been shut down. From November 20 to 23, children in Grades 1 to 5 will attend online classes as per the directive from Khairthal Collector Kishore Kumar issued on November 19.
