Dehradun Air Pollution: According to the data monitoring the air quality in Dehradun, there has been a big difference in the air conditions in January and August this year. The city's air quality was at its worst in January 2024, while the month of August was the best in terms of air quality. As per the standards of the State Pollution Control Board (PCB), air quality is divided into six categories – good, satisfactory, average, poor, very poor, and severe.
In January, air quality was recorded in the 'very poor' category for 11 days, and in the 'poor' category for 10 days. Moreover, the air quality remained in the 'average' category on 9 days and the air condition was 'satisfactory' only on 1 day. Due to poor air quality this month, residents of Dehradun faced health problems, especially children and the elderly.
Improvement in air quality in August-September
A major improvement was seen in the air quality of Dehradun in the month of August. The Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded in the good category throughout the month. Rainfall during this month increased moisture in the atmosphere and reduced dust and other pollutants in the air. Due to this, the air of the city remained clean and the citizens did not face any special difficulty in breathing.
According to Dr. Parag Madhukar Dhakate, Member Secretary, State Pollution Control Board, in the month of January, due to dry weather and lack of moisture, dust and other pollutants spread more in the air. At the same time, the rains in August and September helped in keeping the air clean. Due to rain, moisture in the atmosphere increased, due to which less dust flew in the air and the level of pollution decreased.
A similar trend was observed in the month of September, when 25 days of air quality were recorded in the good category and 5 days were in the satisfactory category. This indicates that the air quality improves significantly during monsoon.
Air pollution remains a serious challenge in rapidly developing cities like Dehradun. The main causes of poor air quality during the dry season are industrial activities, construction work, and increased traffic. At the same time, rain during the monsoon months helps in keeping pollution under control. According to the PCB, long-term measures are needed to improve air quality, including more greenery, strict pollution control policies and awareness campaigns.
Overall, January was the worst month for Dehradun in 2024, while August and September proved to be the best months in terms of air quality. Pollution Control Board officials are hopeful that more effective steps will be taken to deal with such situations in future.
