Dikhyaa Mohanty 
In the midst of thick fog and bitter winter cold, numerous cities in Odisha reported hazardous to severe Air Quality Index (AQI) values as the state celebrated the New Year beneath a cloud of pollution.
Several metropolitan centers in Odisha recorded AQI values in the “severe” to “hazardous” categories on New Year’s morning, according to data from air quality monitoring. Residents in Bhubaneswar, the nation’s capital, woke up to severe fog and haze that reduced visibility to as low as 50 meters in a number of places. The haze persisted far into the morning, causing drivers on urban and national routes to report slow-moving traffic.
The main causes of the pollution rise, according to experts, include persistent emissions, dense fog that traps pollutants, and sluggish air conditions over the winter. These are the major Odisha cities’ AQI values at seven in the morning. Significantly worse air quality was also recorded in mining and industrial centers including Angul (263 AQI) and Keonjhar (266 AQI). Widespread worries about health hazards and decreased vision have been raised by the bad air quality, which has an especially negative effect on everyday commutes and outdoor activities.
