Sharp spike in Bhopal air pollution on Diwali

Minimum temperature rose sharply and air pollution levels touched alarming levels on Diwali leaving many at the risk of respiratory problems in the state capital.

The respirable suspended particulate matter (RSPM) — which directly affects breathing — went up 2.6 times above the national ambiance air quality standard, officials of the Madhya Pradesh Pollution Control Board (MPPCB) said on Friday.

According to MPPCB, maximum RSPM was recorded at the commercial Hamidia Road, 457.7 micro gram per cubic metre, which is 3.5 times higher than normal 100 micro gram per cubic metre and 24.1 percent higher than last year's data.

Deviation in RSPM was 2.6 times by normal standard near Paryawaran Parisar, a residential area. It was also 25.6% higher than last year's data.

However, Govindpura area recorded a decline in RSPM. Though it was 1.7 times higher than normal standard, it was 38.7% less than last year’s Diwali data.

"Increase in RSPM can create respiratory problems for many as quality of air gets poorer. It can also aggravate respiratory ailments among existing patients," MPPCB chemist Neeraj Verma said.

According to the Metrological department, the minimum temperature increased by 1.3 degree — from 18.3 degree Celsius on Wednesday to 19.6 degree Celsius on Thursday.