Thanks to early morning rains, Chennai breathes relatively clean air this Bhogi

CHENNAI: The city has been dreading the rains for years due to the past experiences. But on Bhogi day, denizens breathed relatively clean air, thanks to the early morning showers.

As per the Air Quality Index (AQI) data obtained from many monitoring stations across the city, the air quality was under the satisfactory to moderate levels, which means the AQI was less than 200, on Monday morning.

A Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) release said that the board conducted 24-hours manual operated air quality surveys in all 15 zones of the Greater Chennai Corporation on both the pre-Bhogi and Bhogi days. During pre-Bhogi day from 8 am onwards on January 9 to 8 am on January 10, the observed AQI values in all the 15 zones were found to be in the range of AQI value 45-74 with AQI remark of ‘Good to Satisfactory’. On Bhogi day, the observed AQI values in all the 15 zones were found to be in the range of AQI value 92-177 with AQI remark of ‘Satisfactory to Moderate’, the TNPCB said.

The release also added that no disturbance in flight operation was observed at the Airport. “We’ve deployed 27 teams of TNPCB officials and police to prevent people from burning plastics, tyres and other hazardous items. The teams were monitoring the city throughout the night. This year burning and bonfires were lesser,” a TNPCB official said.

During 2024 Bhogi, AQI in several parts for the city crossed 200. “The TN Pollution Control Board expresses sincere gratitude to all government departments, NGOs, residential welfare associations, the press and media, and especially the general public for their cooperation in celebrating a Smokeless Bhogi. This collective effort has efficiently improved air quality and protected the health and well-being of our environment,” the release added.