With 301 AQI, Pune Air Quality Marked ‘Very Poor’ Today
Anaum Shaikh
Pune, 13th November 2023: The post-Diwali celebration in Pune has left the city engulfed in a haze of pollutants, with the air quality index (AQI) plummeting to the ‘Very Poor’ category within a single day. Over the past two days, the air quality had been in the ‘Moderate’ to ‘Satisfactory’ range, but it has now deteriorated once again.
Lakshmi Puja and Narak Chaturdashi witnessed a substantial increase in fine particulate matter PM2.5 and PM10 levels in the city’s air, resulting in a decline in air quality. The Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology’s ‘SAFAR’ platform reported this development. Today, Pune’s overall AQI is 301 with PM10 (µgm-3): 243 and PM2.5 (µgm-3) : 166. Except Kothrud and Katraj, which have moderate air quality, all other weather stations in Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad have reported poor to very poor AQI.
As the winter season commenced, Pune experienced a surge in air pollution, with PM2.5 and PM10 levels reaching levels beyond the ‘Moderate’ category, nearing ‘ very poor’ conditions.
The overall air quality in Pune has fluctuated between the ‘Satisfactory’ and ‘Moderate’ categories. On Friday, 10th November, heavy rainfall washed away the pollutants, leading to an improvement in air quality. Consequently, on Saturday, 11th November, the air quality once again entered the ‘Satisfactory’ category.
Compared to the previous year’s Diwali, Pune had witnessed ‘Satisfactory’ air quality post-Lakshmi Puja. However, the recent degradation in air quality poses health risks, especially during the winter season.
According to SAFAR, Shivajinagar exhibited ‘Poor’ air quality on Sunday, 12th November, while areas like Bhosari Chowk, Kothrud, and Nigdi recorded ‘Very Poor’ air quality.
Notably, the concentration of PM2.5 particles reached 138 micrograms per cubic meter, and PM10 particles registered at 86 micrograms per cubic meter on the same day. Certain locations experienced a significant spike In PM2.5 levels, indicating an exacerbation of air pollution.
The deterioration in air quality post-Diwali, coupled with increased firecracker usage on Lakshmi Puja, has contributed to a surge in pollutants, according to experts.
11th November: Pune AQI – 73
Area-wise details of Particulate Matter ( PM) level in the air
Area – PM 10 – PM 2.5
Lohegaon – 81 – 81
Shivajinagar – 99 – 121
Pashan – 45 – 44
Kothrud – 77 – 92
Hadapsar – 92 – 92
Katraj – 45 – 44
12th November: Pune AQI – 138
Area-wise details of Particulate Matter (PM) level in the air
Area – PM 10 – PM 2.5
Shivajinagar – 160 – 306
Kothrud – 124 – 208
Lohegaon – 80 – 84
Hadapsar – 80 – 84
Katraj – 84 – 88
Pashan – 70 – 74
13th November: Pune AQI – 301
Area-wise details of Particulate Matter (PM) level in the air
Area – PM 10 – PM 2.5
Shivajinagar – 285 – 381
Kothrud – 106 – 155
Lohegaon – 190 – 382
Hadapsar – 170 – 306
Katraj – 102 – 99
Pashan – 178 – 303
AQI : Quality classification : Remarks
0-50 : Minimal Impact : Good
51-100 : Minor breathing discomfort to sensitive people: Satisfactory
101-200 : Breathing discomfort to the people with lung, heart disease, children and older adults : Moderate
201-300 : Breathing discomfort to people on prolonged exposure : Poor
301-400 : Respiratory illness to the people on prolonged exposure : Very Poor
>401 : Respiratory effects even on healthy people : Severe
