The air quality index (AQI) of the city continued to remain in the poor category for a third day in a row after slightly improving towards the end of the last week. Temperature also continued along similar lines.
As per the daily bulletin released by the Central Pollution Control Board, AQI was 233 in Chandigarh on Tuesday, taking the mean values of all the stations at 4 pm. On Monday it was 267.
AQI between 201-300 is considered poor and can cause breathing discomfort to most people on prolonged exposure. Earlier this month it had crossed 400, which is considered severe.
As per IMD officials, the recent spike in AQI is due to temperature inversion and its a result of the recent fall in temperature. AQI is likely to stay along similar lines in the coming days as well.
The maximum temperature fell from 26.9°C on Monday to 26.7°C on Tuesday. Minimum temperature fell from 11°C on Monday to 10.7°C on Tuesday. In the next three days the maximum temperature will remain between 25°C and 27°C while minimum temperature will remain around 10°C.