Fog and Figures: The AQI Match Clash in Lucknow

The fourth T20I match between India and South Africa in Lucknow was canceled due to smog-induced poor visibility. The Uttar Pradesh government criticized private air quality applications for spreading misleading information based on foreign standards, advocating reliance on the National Air Quality Index for accurate assessment.

The T20I clash between India and South Africa faced an abrupt halt in Lucknow as dense smog hindered visibility at the Ekana Stadium, prompting cricket officials to call off the match.

The Uttar Pradesh government emphasized that the city's air quality index (AQI) stood at a moderate 174, challenging figures from private applications circulating on social media.

These applications often use US norms unsuitable for India, leading officials to warn against misinformation and highlight the Central Pollution Control Board's rigorous and localized AQI monitoring as more reliable.