Air quality remains poor at Manali

According to the Air Quality Index (AQI) data, the PM2.5 level at Manali went as high as 797 microgram/m3, while it was 755 microgram/m3 at the Chennai US consulate on Tuesday morning – when bonfires were lit across the city. It dropped drastically by evening – but stayed above the maximum permissible level.

While the level at Manali breached the permissible limit, other residential areas in the city, including Velachery which recorded 76 micrograms/m3 and IIT Madras at 86 microgram/m3, remained at a moderate level on Thursday.

When contacted, the senior TNPCB official said, “The pollution level was high in Manali from Bhogi day. The reason for this is the presence of industries in the locality. It is also an area where many container lorries move around, which is another reason for the pollution level to increase.”