📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Pravin Jha
Weather
Patiala’s AQI spikes to 239 as toxic smog engulfs Punjab ahead of Diwali
✍️ Amar Ujala · Patiala
🗓 03 Nov 2026, 08:01 AM
👁 16
The air‑quality index in Patiala rose to 239, signalling severe pollution, as smog spreads across Punjab before the Diwali festivities. State officials have been asked to explain the sudden deterioration.
Patiala, Punjab, recorded an air‑quality index (AQI) of 239 on Tuesday, a level classified as ‘severe’ by national standards. The sharp rise comes just days before Diwali, when the region traditionally experiences heightened firecracker usage and associated pollution.
Local health officials warned that the toxic smog poses serious risks for people with respiratory conditions, the elderly, and children. Schools in the vicinity were advised to keep windows shut and limit outdoor activities until the air improves.
The Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) has been summoned by the state’s environmental commission to provide a detailed explanation for the abrupt spike. Preliminary assessments point to a combination of crop‑residue burning in neighboring districts and stagnant weather patterns that trap pollutants close to the ground.
Authorities said they are monitoring the situation continuously and will issue further advisories if the AQI worsens. Residents are urged to wear masks, limit outdoor exertion, and stay informed through official channels.
Local health officials warned that the toxic smog poses serious risks for people with respiratory conditions, the elderly, and children. Schools in the vicinity were advised to keep windows shut and limit outdoor activities until the air improves.
The Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) has been summoned by the state’s environmental commission to provide a detailed explanation for the abrupt spike. Preliminary assessments point to a combination of crop‑residue burning in neighboring districts and stagnant weather patterns that trap pollutants close to the ground.
Authorities said they are monitoring the situation continuously and will issue further advisories if the AQI worsens. Residents are urged to wear masks, limit outdoor exertion, and stay informed through official channels.