Festive break for pollution in Hyderabad

Hyderabad: The Hyderabad zoo area, which lies along NH7, accounts for more pollution on holidays than the industrial area at Sanathnagar. Thanks to the five-day weekend, scores of people moved out of the city.

According to the Central Pollution Control Board website, nitrogen dioxide levels in the air were a third of the average. There was a fall in the sulphur dioxide and carbon monoxide levels as well. Particulate matter 2.5 was recorded at about a third of the regular levels, though there was an unexplained dangerous spike on Saturday, at 334 micrograms per cubic metre against the average of 142.02 micrograms. However, at Hyderabad zoo, on Friday and Saturday, sulphur dioxide was more than the average of 10.36 micrograms per cubic metre.