Air pollution levels have surged in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, with 13 out of 15 monitoring stations recording an increase over the past two days, pushing the air quality index (AQI) beyond the moderate level of 100. Residents are grappling with foggy conditions, particularly during mornings, coupled with eye irritation and breathing difficulties. While Pashan currently boasts the cleanest air, areas like Hadapsar, Kothrud, Shivajinagar, Bhosari, and Thergaon are anticipated to witness further deterioration in air quality over the next 24 hours.
Experts attribute the deteriorating air quality to various factors, including clear skies with heightened wind flow and moisture, which are trapping pollutants and creating a haze reminiscent of smog. Additionally, anticyclonic winds from peninsular India are transporting moisture, exacerbating the problem. Concerns have been raised by residents of Hadapsar regarding the health implications of worsening air quality, exacerbated by open garbage burning in certain areas. Despite stable temperatures forecasted for the next 48 hours, immediate relief from the pollution appears unlikely, underscoring the urgent need for stricter measures to curb air pollution in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad.