CHENNAI: Residents of Chennai awoke on Wednesday to a thick blanket of smog obscuring the city, a direct result of traditional bonfires lit for the Bhogi festival. The significant reduction in air quality and visibility raised immediate health concerns and disrupted morning travel.
The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) reported severely hampered visibility, particularly at Chennai International Airport. At 7 am, horizontal visibility was reduced to just 300 meters due to surface-level smoke. While conditions improved slightly through the morning—reaching 600 meters by 9 am—the smog layer posed a persistent challenge.
The primary cause was the widespread burning of discarded household items, including plastic, as part of Bhogi customs preceding the Pongal festival. This practice led to a sharp decline in air quality across the capital.
Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) readings at 7 am reflected the deterioration, with several areas recording Air Quality Index (AQI) levels above 100, a threshold considered unhealthy for sensitive groups such as children, the elderly, and those with respiratory or cardiac conditions. Key readings included:
· Manali: 144
· Kodungaiyur: 123
· Arumbakkam: 117
Motorists faced difficult conditions as the bonfire smoke mingled with morning fog, creating dense haze patches in numerous neighborhoods. Authorities continue to monitor the situation, advising caution for vulnerable residents and those traveling.