Haryana, Punjab wake up to hazy morning

As Diwali festivities concluded, residents of Haryana and Punjab, especially those living in the National Capital Region (NCR) woke up to a hazy Friday morning, with air quality levels plunging into the "Very Poor" and "Poor" categories across several cities.

- NEERAJ MOHAN

The thick layer of smog covering the region underscored the impact of widespread firecracker use.

This sharp rise in pollution levels was most pronounced in the early hours after the late-night celebrations, as Air Quality Index (AQI) readings across several locations reflected a significant deterioration.

Even in the Union Territory of Chandigarh, some of the year's worst air quality levels were recorded following Diwali night.

Cities such as Chandigarh, Gurugram, Ambala, Kurukshetra, and Amritsar fell into the "Very Poor" category for the first time this year, with AQI readings exceeding 300.