The Srinagar’s Air Quality Index (AQI) has slightly improved in the last few days due to snowfall in higher reaches and rains in plains including in Srinagar.
Initially classified as “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups,” the air quality has now shifted to the “Moderate” category.
On Thursday, Srinagar’s PM2.5 concentration exceeded WHO annual air quality guideline by 9.2 times, resulting in an AQI of 127, surpassing the healthy threshold of 50.
However, after Friday’s snowfall in upper reaches and rainfall in plains, the air quality improved significantly, shifting from “Unhealthy” to “Moderate” with an AQI of 74.
By Saturday, the AQI further decreased to 65 with Srinagar’s PM2.5 concentration at 3.8, the official said.
During the winter months, the Valley experiences a noticeable decline in air quality, reaching an “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” level in the summer capital.
Experts blame rising air pollution in winter to various factors especially burning of biomass for coal making, smoke from brick kilns, cement factories, dusty roads, diesel vehicles and waste burning.
“For effective air pollution control in the Kashmir valley, particularly during winter and autumn, there should be strict check on emissions from the local sources like coal burning in offices for heating, fossil fuel usage by vehicular traffic, dusty road networks, massive biomass burning for charcoal making and brick kilns,” an expert said.
The Srinagar administration has taken several measures to reduce PM10 levels by 2025 to improve the Air Quality Index in the district.