Chandigarh, Dec. 19 -- Residents of the tricity woke up to a thick blanket of fog for the second consecutive day on Thursday, as the region grapples with a dual challenge of plummeting visibility and deteriorating air quality. While Chandigarh's Air Quality Index (AQI) showed a marginal improvement from the previous day, it remains firmly in the "poor" category, while neighbouring Panchkula has crossed the threshold into "very poor" territory.

According to the daily AQI bulletin released by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Chandigarh recorded an AQI of 266 on Thursday. This marks a slight dip from Wednesday's reading of 275, though the air remains hazardous for sensitive groups.

In contrast, the situation in Panchkula has wor...