Mild showers on March 20 morning introduced some respite for the residents dwelling in one in all world’s most polluted cities – Guwahati. Whereas the Air High quality Index nonetheless hovered round 160 – which is categorized as ‘unhealthy’, residents are nonetheless of the disbelief that the air high quality in Guwahati is certainly among the many world’s worst.
In line with a report by Swiss air high quality tech firm, IQAir, Guwahati was the world’s second most polluted metropolis final 12 months with a median annual PM2.5 focus of 105.4 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m³), which was 21 occasions the WHO pointers.
The report positioned Guwahati above among the worst polluted mega cities like Delhi. Begusarai in Bihar was probably the most polluted worldwide whereas Delhi took the third place. The typical annual PM2.5 focus in Begusarai was 118.9 (µg/m³). Delhi recorded 102.1 (µg/m³).
Guwahati with an estimated inhabitants of 13 lakh was far cleaner in 2022 when its common annual PM2.5 focus 51 (µg/m³). Involved residents attribute the sudden downfall to unabated felling of bushes, main development work and extra so to local weather change circumstances.
In line with Central Air pollution Management Board’s every day bulletin on March 19, Guwahati’s final 24 hours common PM2.5 and PM10 focus was 297, which is 59 occasions the WHO pointers.
The IQAir report additionally highlights India’s general standing when it comes to air high quality, putting it because the third most polluted nation in 2023, following Bangladesh and Pakistan. Additionally, with 9 out of the highest 10 cities Indian, a staggering 42 Indian cities function within the high 50, underscoring grave considerations concerning the nation’s air high quality.
The report additionally underscores the dire penalties of air air pollution, with an estimated one in each 9 deaths worldwide attributed to this environmental menace. In line with the WHO, air air pollution results in roughly seven million untimely deaths yearly. Publicity to PM2.5 air pollution exacerbates a variety of well being circumstances, together with bronchial asthma, most cancers, stroke, and lung illness.
