Pune's air quality has taken a concerning turn, officially slipping into the 'poor' category this week. Data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) revealed that the city's Air Quality Index (AQI) hit 201 on both Monday and Tuesday.
Pollution Data and Forecast
Fine particulate matter, known as PM2.5, was identified as the primary pollutant. The 24-hour average was calculated using data from eight of the city's thirteen monitoring stations. In contrast, the neighboring industrial belt of Pimpri Chinchwad recorded 'moderate' air quality with an AQI of 161, also largely driven by PM2.5 levels.
However, a forecast from IITM's air quality early warning system offers a slight respite, predicting that Pune's air is likely to return to the 'moderate' category from December 24 to 26.
Doctors Report Alarming Health Impact
Medical professionals in the city confirm that the deteriorating air is already having a tangible effect on public health. They report a significant surge in respiratory complaints compared to previous years.
ENT surgeon Dr. Seemab Shaikh highlighted a marked rise in cases over recent weeks. "There is a definite increase in all respiratory illnesses because the nose is the entry point for pollutants," he stated. He listed allergic rhinitis, nasal irritation, and dry cough as conditions seeing a sharp uptick, worsened by a combination of cold temperatures and rising pollution.
Dr. Shaikh identified construction dust, ongoing road work, and early morning haze as key triggers. He strongly advises residents to avoid early morning walks and outdoor exercise in winter when pollution levels peak, as cold air traps pollutants close to the ground.
Why Winter Worsens the Crisis
Dr. Santosh Latkar, former president of the Association of ENT Surgeons of India, explained the dangerous synergy between cold weather and pollution. He noted that while the nose filters larger particles, winter haze keeps finer particles suspended in the air.
"These smaller particles penetrate deeper and trigger inflammation, causing congestion in the nose and paranasal sinuses," he said. This leads to a simultaneous increase in nasal cavity and sinus infections.
He further explained that cold air irritates the respiratory mucosa, and when combined with pollutants, makes it far more vulnerable. Consequently, clinics are seeing more patients with sinus infections, common cold symptoms, bronchitis, and asthma-like conditions. Dr. Latkar confirmed that case numbers this season are higher than in the last several years.
On treatment, he said patients are largely managed symptomatically, with a strong emphasis on preventive measures like mask usage. He also stressed that improving public transport is critical to reducing the overall pollution load.
Meteorological Factors at Play
An IITM official explained that Pune's air quality began deteriorating from last Thursday, moving from moderate to poor, especially at night. This is due to a winter phenomenon called a stable boundary layer.
"This is a condition where colder air near the ground gets trapped under a layer of warmer air above it," the official said. This inversion prevents the vertical mixing and dispersion of pollutants, causing them to accumulate at surface level.
The situation is particularly acute in areas like Shivajinagar, Katraj, and Nigdi, which experience high construction activity and heavy traffic. With night-time temperatures dropping to single digits and very low wind speeds, pollutant dispersion is minimal, leading to the highest concentrations during the early morning hours.
Residents Feel the Effects
The worsening air has begun disrupting daily life for Punekars. Anita Kulkarni, a resident of Aundh, shared her experience. "I have been dealing with constant nasal irritation and a dry cough for the past couple of weeks," she said. "Stepping out early in the morning feels uncomfortable, and there is a visible haze in the air. Even short walks trigger sneezing and throat irritation, which was not the case earlier." Her account underscores the direct impact of the city's polluted air on its citizens' well-being.
