Lucknow,

Nov 11 (HS): After the Diwali festival, air quality in various regions of Uttar

Pradesh indicated a slow improvement, although many cities continued to be engulfed

in dangerous pollution levels.

Lucknow AQI: Following a peak of 245, classified as 'poor', on November 9, the

air quality in Lucknow improved to 172 (moderate) by November 10, as reported

by the Central Pollution Control Board.

Red Zone Cities: Following the festival, at least seven areas in Uttar Pradesh such

as Noida, Ghaziabad, Sonbhadra (Anpara), Khurja, Baghpat, Gajraula, and Bulandshahr

experienced their AQI spike over 300 into the 'red zone' (very poor to severe).

Visibility and Weather: Thick fog and dropping temperatures significantly

affected visibility throughout the state, with no visibility noted in Varanasi

and limited visibility in Bareilly (100 meters) and Lucknow (300 meters).

Contributing Factors: Meteorological conditions such as light winds and decreasing

winter temperatures, along with leftover firecracker smoke, vehicle emissions,

and construction dust, have hindered the dispersion of pollutants.

Earlier,

the air quality in many cities of Uttar Pradesh deteriorated rapidly on Monday,

November 9, the day after Diwali. Due to the effect of smoke from fireworks and

firecrackers, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in seven cities of the state crossed

300, i.e. reaching the red zone, which is considered serious for health.

According to the data of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Anpara of

Sonbhadra was the most polluted city in the state on Monday, the day after

Diwali. The AQI here was recorded at 355.

Meanwhile,

Noida recorded an AQI of 332 and Khurja 331. Ghaziabad also recorded an air

quality index of 324. Furthermore, Baghpat, Gajraula, and Bulandshahr also

recorded AQIs above 300.

AQI

of seven cities of the state

City

- AQI

Anpara

– 355

Noida

- 332

Khurja

– 331

Ghaziabad

- 324

Baghpat

- 305

Gajraula

- 304

Bulandshahr

– 303

Hindusthan Samachar / Abhishek Awasthi