The impact of bursting crackers during Diwali in Rajasthan is still visible on the air quality of several cities across the state. For the second consecutive day after the festive season on Tuesday, air quality failed to reach satisfactory levels.
According to Central Pollution Control Board data, the Air Quality Index of Udaipur city was recorded at 225 at 11 am on Tuesday. This is categorized in the poor category. Due to the drop in temperature and slow winds, pollutant particles remain trapped close to the ground.
State of pollution in other cities of the state
The air condition is concerning in other districts of the state as well. Tuesday's report indicates that Sri Ganganagar remained the most polluted city with an AQI of 346. The air here was recorded in the very poor category. Apart from this, the Air Quality Index was recorded at 326 in Alwar and 300 in Bikaner.
An AQI of 283 was recorded in Churu, 282 in Bhiwadi, 275 in Hanumangarh, and 270 in Udaipur along with Nagaur. The AQI stood at 265 in Kota, 263 in Pali, 233 in Bharatpur, and 228 in Ajmer. The air is poor in the capital Jaipur as well, where the highest AQI of 230 was recorded in the Mansarovar area.
Impact of geographical conditions and cold
According to experts, due to falling night temperatures and reduced wind speed in November, smoke from firecrackers and fine dust particles are unable to rise upwards. Udaipur is surrounded by hills on all sides and is situated in a saucer-shaped basin. Because of this, polluted air cannot easily escape, and smog persists for several days.