Byrnihat – the world capital of smog. “Everywhere soot”, “daughter breathed like a fish”

The air in Byrnihac is filled with harmful substances from factories and car exhaust. Adults and children complain of serious breathing problems there.

“It was terrifying, the daughter was breathing like a fish,” said REuters Abdul Halim, father Ansari, who after two days brought her home after two days. The girl had health problems for nearly nine months smog.

The fact that air quality is terrible and destroying health is confirmed by statistics. According to government data, the number of respiratory infections in the region increased to 3681 in 2024 of 2082, which was recorded in 2022.

– Ninety percent of patients we see every day have a cough or other breathing problems – said Dr. J. Marak from the ByrniHat Primary Healthcare Center hospital.

Residents complain that toxic air also causes other health ailments, such as rashes and eye irritation. Smog destroys crops and interferes with everyday, ordinary activities, such as drying washing outside.

“Everything is covered with dust or soot,” said farmer Dildar Hussain.

In India, many places struggle in winter with fatal air quality. In Byrnihyte, however, there is a bad situation throughout the year, which is confirmed by government data. There are about 80 industrial plants in the city. According to experts, the situation also does not improve the terrain – the city is in a decrease in the area, which prevents pollution dispersal.

In March this year, in a report prepared by the Swiss company IQAIR Byrnihat was at the top of the world metropolis list with the worst quality of air. In 2024, the level of PM2.5 dust concentration throughout the year was an average of 128.2 micrograms per cubic meter. This is 25 times more than recommending the standards of the World Health Organization (WHO).

Since the IQair report was published, the authorities of both states have agreed to cooperate to improve air in this city.