World’s Most Polluted City Byrnihat’s Air Is Dangerous

In Byrnihat, a small industrial town located on the border of Assam and Meghalaya, pollution has reached alarming levels. The town was recently named the world’s most polluted metropolitan area by Swiss air quality monitoring group IQAir.

One heartbreaking example is two-year-old Sumaiya Ansari, who had to be hospitalized in March due to serious breathing problems. Her father, Abdul Halim, described the experience as terrifying, saying, “She was breathing like a fish.” Sumaiya had to be given oxygen before she could return home safely.

What the Numbers Say

According to IQAir, Byrnihat’s average PM2.5 level in 2024 was 128.2 micrograms per cubic meter. This is over 25 times higher than the safe limit recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO).

PM2.5 refers to very small particles in the air that are harmful when inhaled. These particles can cause serious health issues such as lung disease, heart problems, and even cancer.

Government records show a sharp increase in respiratory illnesses in the region—from 2,082 cases in 2022 to 3,681 in 2024. According to Dr. J. Marak from the Primary Health Centre in Byrnihat, the vast majority of patients about 90% come in with respiratory issues like persistent coughing and other breathing difficulties.

Pollution’s Impact on Daily Life

The consequences of pollution stretch beyond just respiratory health. Locals frequently suffer from skin irritations, eye problems, and challenges with everyday tasks such as drying clothes outdoors.

Farmer Dildar Hussain expressed his frustration, saying, “Dust and soot settle on everything—our homes, our crops, you name it.”

Why Is Byrnihat So Polluted?

Experts say several factors are making the air quality worse:

• Byrnihat is home to around 80 industries, many of which are known to release heavy pollution.
• The town sees constant movement of heavy trucks, adding to the emissions.
• Its unique geography, being in a bowl-like shape between hills, traps the polluted air, making it harder for it to clear out.

As Arup Kumar Misra, chairman of Assam’s Pollution Control Board, explains, “The town is stuck between the hills of Meghalaya and the plains of Assam, so there’s no space for pollutants to escape.”

Governments Blame Each Other – But That’s Changing

Until recently, efforts to tackle the issue were stalled as Assam and Meghalaya shifted responsibility back and forth. However, after IQAir’s report came out in March, both states agreed to form a joint committee. This is a step forward in working together to find lasting solutions for Byrnihat’s pollution crisis.

Conclusion

Byrnihat’s worsening air quality is not just an environmental concern it’s a growing public health emergency. With rising cases of illness and daily life affected, joint action from local governments, industry, and health experts is more urgent than ever.

Source: Inputs from various media Sources