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Weather
Haryana sees nine cities breach hazardous AQI levels above 300
✍️ Hindustan Times
🗓 07 Nov 2026, 08:11 AM
👁 11
The state’s air quality deteriorated sharply, with nine cities recording an Air Quality Index exceeding 300, indicating hazardous pollution levels.
Haryana’s environmental monitoring agencies reported a sudden spike in air pollution on Monday, with nine urban centres posting Air Quality Index (AQI) readings above 300, a level classified as hazardous. The affected cities span the state’s industrial belt and include major towns such as Faridabad, Gurgaon, and Panipat.
Health officials warned that prolonged exposure to such high pollutant concentrations can aggravate respiratory ailments, especially among children, the elderly and those with pre‑existing conditions. The state’s health department has issued advisories urging residents to limit outdoor activities and to use masks certified for particulate filtration.
The Haryana Pollution Control Board said the surge is linked to a combination of factors, including stagnant weather conditions, increased vehicular traffic, and emissions from nearby factories. Authorities have ordered temporary shutdowns of certain industrial units and are coordinating with the central government to deploy additional air‑purifying equipment in the most affected zones.
Experts note that while seasonal spikes are common during winter, the current AQI levels surpass previous records for the same period, underscoring the need for stricter emission controls and long‑term mitigation strategies.
The board will release a detailed action plan later this week, aiming to bring the AQI back within safe limits and to prevent a recurrence of hazardous pollution levels.
Health officials warned that prolonged exposure to such high pollutant concentrations can aggravate respiratory ailments, especially among children, the elderly and those with pre‑existing conditions. The state’s health department has issued advisories urging residents to limit outdoor activities and to use masks certified for particulate filtration.
The Haryana Pollution Control Board said the surge is linked to a combination of factors, including stagnant weather conditions, increased vehicular traffic, and emissions from nearby factories. Authorities have ordered temporary shutdowns of certain industrial units and are coordinating with the central government to deploy additional air‑purifying equipment in the most affected zones.
Experts note that while seasonal spikes are common during winter, the current AQI levels surpass previous records for the same period, underscoring the need for stricter emission controls and long‑term mitigation strategies.
The board will release a detailed action plan later this week, aiming to bring the AQI back within safe limits and to prevent a recurrence of hazardous pollution levels.