Guwahati is 2nd most polluted city in Central & South Asia, Aizawl among least polluted cities
First Published: 19th March, 2024 18:07 IST
Guwahati's poor air quality have been attributed to numerous construction work, and increase in vehicles congesting the city's streets.
In a worrying revelation, Guwahati has been ranked as the second most polluted city in Central and South Asia and two other cities from the region, Silchar and Aizawl are among the least polluted cities in Central and South Asia, according to the World Air Quality Report 2023 published by IQAir, a Swiss air quality technology company.
Guwahati’s poor air quality have been attributed to numerous construction work as well as a significant rise in the number of vehicles congesting the city’s streets and adding to the pollution.
Guwahati’s yearly average PM2.5 concentration of PM105.4 exceeds WHO recommendations by more than tenfold.
Breathing air with fine particulate matter (PM) above PM2.5 is harmful to health as it penetrates deep into lung tissue and may even enter the bloodstream. It comes from sources like the combustion of fossil fuels, dust storms and wildfires, and has been linked to asthma, heart and lung disease, cancer, and other respiratory illnesses, as well as cognitive impairment in children.
Begusarai in Bihar with a population of half a million, ranks number one among the list of 15 most polluted cities in Central and South Asia.
Silchar and Aizawl are ranked seventh and eighth respectively in the list of 15 least polluted cities in Central and South Asia.
In an alarming trend, India is ranked third in the list of most polluted countries in 2023 after Pakistan and Bangladesh. India’s annual PM 2.5 was 54.4µg/m3 compared to Pakistan’s 73.7µg/m3 and Bangladesh’s 79.9µg/m3.
COMMENTS
TOPMOST STORY NOW
Live Row Over Covering ‘Manipur’ Name: COCOMI Calls for 48-hour State-Wide Shutdown
21st May 2025
Live Manipur Governor Orders Probe After Security Forces Cover State Name on Manipur Govt Bus Carrying Journalists to Shirui Lily Festival
21st May 2025
Live MZP Sets June 13 as Deadline for Mizoram Govt To Act Against Teachers Using Proxies
21st May 2025
Live 5 Northeast States In List of Top 10 States of India with Highest Literacy Rate
21st May 2025
WE RECOMMEND
5 Northeast States In List of Top 10 States of India with Highest Literacy Rate
The survey considers individuals aged seven years and above from both rural and urban areas across the country.
21st May 2025
Who is Post Malone Who Will Perform on Dec 8 in Guwahati
Born on July 4, 1995, in Syracuse, New York, Post Malone is popularly known for blending genres like hip-hop, pop, rock, and country.
21st May 2025
Assam Cabinet Announces ‘Concert Economy Policy’, Post Malone to Perform on Dec 8: CM Sarma
Highlighting the revenue potential of the concert industry, Sarma noted, “Many concerts are going on in our neighbouring state, Meghalaya.
21st May 2025
Assam Govt Files Plea Before SC-Appointed CEC To Probe Hill Cutting Amid Guwahati Floods
The CEC is expected to respond to the Assam government's plea within the next two to three months.
21st May 2025
Bangladesh Will Need 14 Rebirths…Nobody has Guts: Assam CM on Chicken’s Neck Threat
And before even dreaming of touching the Chicken’s Neck, they should not forget that India is a powerful country: CM Sarma
21st May 2025