Bhubaneswar, Jan 3: The air quality in 10 urban areas across India, including seven cities in Odisha, has been categorized as 'very poor' by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
According to the CPCB's Air Quality Index (AQI), the cities affected include Angul, Balasore, Baripada, Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Keonjhar, and Talcher in Odisha, as well as Tirupati, Bikaner, and Singrauli from other states. The AQI values in these towns have reached alarming levels.
Talcher, located in Odisha’s Angul district, has been identified as the 'most polluted' town in India, with an AQI of 380. Angul follows closely as the second most polluted town, with an AQI of 346, according to CPCB data.
Other towns in Odisha also registered concerning AQI values, with Balasore at 318, Baripada at 312, Bhubaneswar at 317, Cuttack at 324, and Keonjhar at 311. The AQI values in Bikaner, Singrauli, and Tirupati were recorded at 329, 320, and 341, respectively.
Experts have raised concerns about the health risks associated with prolonged exposure to such poor air quality, particularly respiratory illnesses. The pollution levels in these cities are a serious cause for concern, with experts urging residents to take necessary precautions to protect their health.
