Kashmir’s air quality deteriorates as AQI crosses 300

Climate change doesn’t just affect glaciers, the air we breathe is also becoming toxic. By now you might have heard news about the smog caused by pollution in and around Delhi. The T20 match between India and South Africa in Lucknow had to be canceled due to fog on Wednesday. Many people go to the mountains to escape toxic air, but the air in the mountains is also polluted. In Kashmir, often referred to as heaven on earth, PM2.5 and PM10 levels are increasing, replacing the peace that once prevailed.

AQI (Air Quality Index), which was below 100 in Jammu and Kashmir cities a few years ago, has now increased two to three times.

• Today the maximum AQI in Rajouri reached 337.
• In Udhampur, AQI was measured at 252.
• The AQI level in Jammu reached 279.
• In Srinagar, AQI also reached 173.

Not just Jammu and Kashmir, hilly areas of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh are now facing toxic air. In this case, it would not be wrong to say that the toxic air polluting Delhi will reach the mountains in a few years. The common man is suffering due to the sultry weather and the government seems to be unbothered by it.

Drought period in Kashmir

The local weather office said a western disturbance is likely to affect Jammu and Kashmir on December 21-22 as it marks the entry of winter into the valley. Officials said that due to this weather system, there is a possibility of moderate to heavy snowfall in the higher reaches of Kashmir and light to moderate rain or snowfall in the valley plains.