POLLUTION

Winter Descends on Kolkata, Worsening Air Quality; PM 2.5 Levels Lean Towards 'Very Poor' Range

Representational Image (Kuntal Chakrabarty/IANS) — Representational Image
(Kuntal Chakrabarty/IANS)

Saturday, November 25: With the onset of winter in Kolkata, the dipping mercury level is resulting in a deteriorating Air Quality Index (AQI) in and around the city.

As per the latest figures, the level of PM 2.5 in the air has been recorded above 250, leaning towards "very poor" quality, in and around the city.

According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data, on Saturday morning, the AQI at Rabindra Sarobar was 224, Ballygunge was 248, Victoria was 257, Fort William at 268, Bidhannagar 253

With the current levels of AQI on both sides of river Ganges recorded between 250 and 300, the citizens of both Kolkata and Howrah, especially the elderly, are at high health risks.

“People might suffer from respiratory illness on prolonged exposure to poor air. AQI between 201 and 300 might trigger a health alert, meaning everyone might experience more serious health effects,” said environment activist Somendra Mohan Ghosh.

According to Ghosh, only spells of unseasonal rain can bring some relief.

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The above article has been published from a wire agency with minimal modifications to the headline and text.

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