Delhi’s air quality has taken a severe turn following Diwali, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) reaching alarming levels that are making the city almost ‘unliveable’ for many. The escalating pollution is exacerbating health issues, particularly for individuals with pre-existing medical conditions.
A video that has gone viral captured a distressing incident on October 22, showing a couple in Anand Vihar, Delhi, struggling with the city’s toxic air. The man, while riding a scooter with his wife, suddenly experienced severe breathing trouble and chest pain, prompting him to stop and clutch his chest.
His wife, visibly distressed, was seen asking passersby for assistance. The video, shared on Instagram by Zia Moto Travel Hiking (@zia_moto_), included a caption stating, “A man unconscious while riding a scooter with his wife at Anand Vihar breathing problem and chest pain. I called his family member, and they came and took him to the hospital.”
Anand Vihar recorded the highest AQI at 401 on that day, followed by Burari at 335 and Ashok Vihar at 322. The incident highlights the critical danger posed by Delhi’s air pollution, with one post commenting, “Delhi air pollution is not safe for civilians with comorbidity.”
The video garnered significant attention online, with many users expressing their deep concern over the deteriorating air quality in Delhi. Reactions included comments like, “To those dismissing facts: air pollution isn’t a joke,” and “This level of AQI is hazardous.”
Despite a slight improvement, the air quality in Delhi remained in the ‘poor’ category on Friday, following four consecutive days in the ‘very poor’ range. The AQI was recorded at 293 at 6 am on October 24, indicating the lingering effects of the Diwali celebrations.