Air pollution in Ahmedabad has spiked sharply with the onset of winter. On Saturday, the city recorded an average AQI of 160 — a level comparable to inhaling the smoke of three cigarettes a day.
By night, AQI readings at 17 locations crossed 200, pushing the city’s overall index to 210. The day began with a low of 78, while Thaltej registered the highest reading of 267.
Pollution has remained high since October, with most days last month — excluding Diwali — seeing AQI levels above 200. The pattern continues in November, where 12 of the first 15 days have recorded AQI over 200.
Experts caution that pollution levels may worsen as temperatures drop further in December, posing increasing health risks for residents.