Indians Battle Respiratory Issues In One Of World’s Most Polluted Towns

India is battling a growing public health crisis in Byrnihat, one of its most polluted towns, where respiratory illnesses are surging amid year-round toxic air.

The industrial town, located on the Assam-Meghalaya border, was ranked the world’s most polluted metropolitan area in 2024 by Swiss Group IQAir, according to Reuters. Sahara reported.

According to IQAir, Byrnihat recorded an annual average PM2.5 level of 128.2 micrograms per cubic metre—more than 25 times the World Health Organisation’s recommended limit.

PM2.5 particles are fine enough to enter the lungs and bloodstream, causing serious health problems, including lung disease and heart issues.

“Sandwiched between the hilly terrain of Meghalaya and the plains of Assam, there is no room for pollutants to disperse,” said Arup Kumar Misra, chairman of Assam’s pollution control board.

Experts say emissions from more than 80 industries, heavy vehicle traffic, and the town’s topography contribute to the persistent pollution.

Doctors in the area are overwhelmed. “Ninety percent of the patients we see daily come either with a cough or other respiratory issues,” said Dr. J Marak of Byrnihat Primary Healthcare Centre.

Government records show that cases of respiratory infections rose sharply from 2,082 in 2022 to 3,681 in 2024. Residents also report eye irritation, skin rashes, crop damage, and difficulty carrying out daily activities. “Everything is covered with dust or soot,” said farmer Dildar Hussain.

Among the affected is two-year-old Sumaiya Ansari, who was hospitalised in March after several days of breathing problems. “It was very scary, she was breathing like a fish,” said her father, Abdul Halim.

Unlike Delhi and other major Indian cities where pollution typically spikes in winter, Byrnihat suffers from hazardous air quality throughout the year.

Officials from Assam and Meghalaya have long blamed each other for the crisis. A Meghalaya government official said the town’s location has made coordination difficult.

However, since the release of IQAir’s report in March, both states have agreed to form a joint committee to address the worsening air pollution.