Hyderabad: As the winter sets in, the air quality in the city plunged to ‘poor’, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) crossing the 200 mark in several major areas.
The primary pollutant, particulate matter (PM) 2.5, rose alarmingly to over 250 µg/m³ in some places — nearly 50 times the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommended safe level of 5 µg/m³.
Key areas such as Sanath Nagar, Gachibowli, the Old City, Malakpet and Kompally bear the brunt of this pollution spike.
The second major pollutant, PM10, also recorded dangerous levels, exceeding 200 µg/m³ in areas such as Somajiguda, Kompally and Kokapet. These levels are almost 18 times higher than the WHO’s recommended limit of 15 µg/m³.
Explaining the phenomenon, Padmaja K, a professor and air pollution expert from the city, said: “In winter, the ground cools rapidly at night, trapping cooler air near the surface under a warmer layer. This prevents pollutants from spreading upwards. Weaker winter winds further slow the dispersal of pollutants, allowing them to accumulate. However, the winter season only exacerbates the city’s ongoing air pollution problems.”
She emphasised the need to address long-standing sources of pollution such as vehicle emissions, construction dust, waste burning and industrial waste, which also contribute to the decline in cold wave days.
Meanwhile, doctors in the city have reported an increase in pollution-related health problems, with children the most vulnerable. “Children’s lungs are still developing, making them more susceptible to damage from pollutants. Exposure to these harmful particles weakens their immune systems, increasing the risk of respiratory infections such as pneumonia and bronchitis. PM2.5 particles penetrate deep into the lungs, causing inflammation and reducing lung function,” added pulmonologist Dr Tejas Jogi.
