India’s coronavirus and pollution rates are all set to take a toll on the country as the winter season approaches. Coronavirus, as is known to all, causes difficulty in breathing. However, if the surrounding air becomes toxic to breathe, it will make the infected person more vulnerable and he may end up in the hospital, or worse die. Every year, during the falls and winters, the country’s national capital and most urban cities encounter air pollution hazards. Last year, India was among the top countries listed for the most dangerous air quality levels in the world.
The pollution, which is mainly caused due to local sources, especially more traffic on roads, is expected to worsen indirectly due to the COVID-19 pandemic situation. Since 95% of New Delhi’s Air pollution is cited due to the heavy traffic emissions, the reduced use of public transport in the capital and other parts of the country will only increase the air pollution levels.
India’s coronavirus restrictions- A challenge for reducing Air pollution
More people are using personal vehicles instead of public transport, resulting in more traffic on roads. According to Delhi Metro Rail Corporation data, only 78% of ridership has been reported for the metro train services in New Delhi as compared to pre-COVID ridership. The recent mobility trends on Delhi roads show a decrease of only 30% traffic in September 2020 as compared to the pre-Coronavirus period from January to February. This number was 67% in August 2020, while in April 2020, it dipped down by 80% owing to the complete lockdown in April.
While heavy traffic and emissions are the major problems, India’s coronavirus tally may also suffer due to the upcoming festival of ‘Diwali’. Air pollution levels reach hazardous levels during ‘Diwali’ in India, especially in the Northern parts of the country. In addition, with the phased unlocking of the country in this pandemic, Industrial activities have also resumed which also lead to Industrial emissions, dust, and biomass burning. Stubble Burning is done by farmers in the parts of Punjab and Haryana, also adjoining the National Capital.
India’s Coronavirus Statistics may Spiral due to Air Pollution Records
India’s coronavirus statistics are already overwhelming, with the country having recorded 7 million and above cases, with 100,000 deaths and more than six Million recovered from the virus. However, the environment experts fear a new hindrance in the recovery of the COVID patients due to the alarming air pollution levels in the country, especially the National capital. With low wind speed in the ambiance, the emissions become static in the air, which makes the air foul. Air pollution of such high levels does affect the respiratory system and may cause severe conditions such as brain damage and even early death.
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Authorities now have a new challenge to manage the impact of air pollution on India’s coronavirus patients as they cannot encourage public transport in these times of practicing social distancing.
However, they may encourage more people to work from home, thus reducing traffic on roads, hence preventing alarming levels of pollution in the air. With India’s coronavirus numbers spiraling up every day and the air pollution hazards making their course, the Health experts and authorities must devise a plan immediately to counter the effects of both challenges in these testing times.
