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Srinagar Air Quality Hits Alarming 390 Amidst Forest Fires
21 May
Summary
- Srinagar's AQI reached 390, classified as 'very poor', on May 20.
- Forest fires, biomass burning, and vehicle emissions caused the pollution.
- Temperatures rose nearly 12°C in less than two weeks, intensifying issues.
In Srinagar, Pauri Garhwal, air quality drastically declined to an AQI of 390 by the morning of May 20, entering the 'very poor' category. This unprecedented reading was attributed to a combination of forest fires, biomass burning, and vehicular emissions polluting stagnant air within the mountain valley.
Researchers from HNB Garhwal University's Himalayan Atmospheric and Space Physics Research Laboratory tracked AQI levels from April 6 to May 20. Initially moderate, AQI rose from 157 on May 9 and entered the 'poor' category by May 10. A sharp increase to 356 occurred on May 19, escalating to nearly 390 the next morning.
Compounding the air quality crisis, temperatures in the Himalayan valley saw a rapid rise, increasing from approximately 27.19°C on May 7 to nearly 38.95°C by May 19. This warming trend, coupled with weak western disturbances trapping pollutants, intensified atmospheric instability and environmental degradation.
The period between May 18 and May 20 also recorded a high average black carbon concentration of around 1928 ng/m3. Scientists emphasized the growing importance of studying air quality and climate change in Himalayan regions to inform public awareness and policy planning.
