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As Panchkula chokes in ‘very poor’ air, Chandigarh breathes easy with ‘moderate’ AQI

Forecast of cloudy skies accompanied by dense fog till December 29 in Tricity

2 min readPanchkulaDec 25, 2025 12:14 PM IST

The region is expected to witness partly cloudy skies accompanied by dense fog from December 25 to December 29. (Express Photo by Kamleshwar Singh)

A sharp contrast in air quality has emerged across the Tricity region, with Panchkula recording Air Quality Index (AQI) of 305, which falls under ‘very poor’ category, while Chandigarh, located just a few kilometres away, reported a ‘moderate’ AQI of 101 on Wednesday. The AQI figures are based on data released by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) at 4 pm on December 24, 2025, calculated on the average of the past 24 hours.

Meanwhile, among cities across the country witnessing ‘very poor’ air quality, Rohtak topped the list with an AQI of 340, followed by Talcher at 339, Visakhapatnam at 319, Panchkula at 305, and Angul at 303. In contrast, Chandigarh’s air quality remained relatively stable, offering some relief to residents amid a season otherwise marked by worsening pollution across north India.

As per the five-day weather forecast for the Tricity (Chandigarh, Mohali and Panchkula), the region is expected to witness partly cloudy skies accompanied by dense fog from December 25 to December 29.

As per experts, such conditions are known to trap pollutants closer to the ground, potentially leading to further deterioration in air quality, especially in already affected areas like Panchkula.

Weather observations recorded at the Chandigarh Weather Observatory indicate that on Wednesday, the maximum temperature stood at 22.6 degree Celsius, which is three degrees above normal, while the minimum temperature was recorded at 10.2 degree Celsius, also three degrees above normal. Relative humidity levels remained high, with maximum humidity at 95 per cent and minimum at 43 per cent, creating favourable conditions for fog formation during night and early morning hours.

The forecasted temperature trend for the coming days suggests maximum temperatures hovering between 19 and 21 degree Celsius, while minimum temperatures are likely to range from 7 to 9 degree Celsius. With no significant weather system expected to bring rainfall or strong winds, pollution dispersion is likely to remain limited.

Environmental experts have advised residents, particularly in Panchkula and other ‘very poor’ AQI cities, to limit outdoor activities, especially during early morning and late evening hours, while vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, and those with respiratory ailments are urged to take extra precautions.

Jagpreet Singh Sandhu

Jagpreet Singh Sandhu is a Senior Correspondent at The Indian Express, based in Chandigarh. He is a veteran reporter with over a decade of experience, specializing in legal, crime, and environmental reporting across the tri-city area (Chandigarh, Mohali, and Panchkula). Professional Background Core Beat: He primarily covers the Punjab and Haryana High Court, District Courts, CBI Courts, and Consumer Commissions. His legal reporting is known for breaking down complex judgments and tracking long-standing criminal cases. Environmental Reporting: Jagpreet has become a key voice in reporting on the deteriorating air quality and weather patterns in the Punjab-Haryana region. Crime & Technology: He frequently reports on cybercrime, digital arrest scams, and the intersection of technology and law enforcement, such as the development of citizen-centric policing apps. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) His late 2025 coverage has focused on significant judicial verdicts, major financial scams, and public health concerns: 1. Legal & CBI Court Verdicts "12 years on, CBI court acquits Haryana judge, parents in wife’s death case" (Dec 17, 2025): Detailed coverage of the acquittal of a judicial officer in a high-profile dowry death case from 2013. "‘Wicked & evil mind’: Court gives man 30-year term for kidnapping, sexually assaulting 8-year-old" (Dec 16, 2025): A report on a stern judgment from a Chandigarh district court in a POCSO case. "Man acquitted in rape case after victim found ‘very happy’ in wedding reception" (Dec 9, 2025): Covering a unique legal observation regarding consensual relationships and age verification. 2. Investigative & Scams "CBI registers FIR in Rs 1.14-cr Patient Welfare Grant scam at PGIMER" (Dec 19, 2025): An exposé on how funds meant for poor patients were siphoned off through forged documents and a photocopy shop inside the PGIMER campus. "Month-long torture, Rs 85 lakh transfers: How ‘Innocence Certificate’ led to a ‘digital arrest’ of an elderly couple" (Dec 12, 2025): Detailing a sophisticated cyber fraud targeting senior citizens in Chandigarh. 3. Environment & Public Safety "Panchkula air turns ‘very poor’, fourth worst in country" (Dec 22, 2025): Reporting on the sudden spike in pollution levels in Panchkula compared to neighbouring cities. "Soon, you can snap that overspeeding car, and report to Chandigarh Police" (Dec 16, 2025): Breaking news on a new mobile application being developed to allow citizens to report traffic violations via geo-tagged photos. 4. Gangster Culture & Crime "City Beautiful in the crosshairs of gangsters" (Dec 14, 2025): A feature analysis of how Chandigarh has increasingly become a staging ground for extortion and rivalries between gangster modules. "Shooters wanted for Parry murder held by Delhi Police Special Cell" (Dec 18, 2025): Following the developments in a high-profile murder case in Chandigarh’s Sector 26. Signature Style Jagpreet is recognized for his tenacious follow-up on cold cases and his ability to report on courtroom drama with a focus on victim rights. His work often highlights administrative lapses, whether in the handling of patient welfare funds or the enforcement of environmental standards. ... Read More

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