Over 85% Delhi Homes Have People Facing Pollution Ailments & Most Say No To Socialising This Diwali

While the national capital is registering the highest-ever caseload of fresh coronavirus cases, toxic air pollution is making things worse.

The smog-related health hazards are on the rise as the air quality index (AQI) level crossed 999 mark in many parts of Delhi-NCR.

Across Delhi, Gurugram, Noida, Ghaziabad and Faridabad, the air quality has declined to toxic levels before Diwali primarily due to stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana.

AFP

Pollution is causing a widespread problem to citizens' health ¨C especially cough, cold, sore throat, burning eyes, and difficulty in breathing.

Survey portrays a grim reading

According to a survey conducted by LocalCircles, 85 per cent Delhi households now have one or more individuals suffering from pollution ailments like cold/cough/sore throat, headache, burning eyes and breathing difficulties.

The survey involved 35,000 respondents across the Delhi- NCR region.

Only 13 per cent households in Delhi, 13 per cent in Gurugram, 19 per cent in Noida, 19 per cent in Ghaziabad, and 17 per cent in Faridabad said ¡°no members of the family have been affected due to the pollution."

AFP

Another question in the survey reflected the mood of people in terms of socialising during Diwali.

The responses suggest that only 25 per cent of Delhi-NCR residents want to socialise this Diwali. Seventy-five per cent people favour closed in-house celebrations given the air pollution and COVID threat.