Punjab Air Quality

Capital: Chandigarh · Population: 30M · 22 monitoring stations

176

Moderate

2024 Annual Avg

176

Annual AQI

Rank #5 in India

72 μg/m³

PM2.5

14× WHO limit

310

Winter Peak

Oct–Feb average

65

Summer Low

Jul–Sep average

Health Advisory — Moderate

Moderate pollution. People with respiratory or heart conditions should limit prolonged outdoor exertion.

Major Cities in Punjab

Live AQI updated every 30 minutes from WAQI. 2024 Avg from CPCB annual data.

Air Quality in Punjab

Punjab's paddy stubble burning (Oct–Nov) is a primary driver of North India's winter smog crisis. CPCB data shows 10-fold PM2.5 spikes during burning season.

Main Pollution Sources

paddy stubble burningvehiclesindustriesdomestic fuel

Seasonal AQI Patterns in Punjab

❄️Winter (Oct–Feb)~310

Worst season. Temperature inversions, crop burning, and low wind speeds trap pollutants. AQI often exceeds 300 in northern states.

☀️Pre-Monsoon (Mar–Jun)~188

Dust storms and heat raise AQI. Less fog than winter. Industrial activity at peak.

🌧️Monsoon (Jul–Sep)~65

Best air quality of the year. Rain washes out PM2.5 and PM10. AQI typically falls to lowest levels.

🍂Post-Monsoon (Oct)~233

Rapidly deteriorating. Crop stubble burning begins in northern states. AQI transitions from good to dangerous.