Copyright indiatoday
This special report focuses on the severe air pollution crisis engulfing India's national capital, Delhi, where the Air Quality Index (AQI) has surged into the 'severe' category. The report highlights the dilemma of citizens attempting to maintain fitness routines amidst a toxic haze, a decision doctors warn is counterproductive and dangerous. One resident described the alarming situation, stating, 'I smell smoke. It just smells like wood fires burning.' This comes as health experts strongly advise against outdoor exertion, explaining that deep breathing during exercise pulls harmful pollutants like PM2.5 deep into the lungs, potentially leading to respiratory and heart diseases. The city's pollution is attributed to a combination of factors including vehicular emissions, industrial discharges, and seasonal stubble burning.
