Residents in New Delhi are facing severe health consequences as air quality reaches extremely dangerous levels. India's government is implementing measures to try reduce the toxic smog over the city but allergy sufferers are being told they must leave the world's most polluted capital to save their health. - REUTER
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00:0024-year-old Ameesha Munjal moved to New Delhi to be closer to her family and a fresh start.
00:07It has been anything but for the finance executive as toxic air in the world's most polluted
00:12capital has sent her health spiralling. The hazardous haze is wreaking havoc with her
00:17allergies resulting in relentless coughing, sore throats and breathlessness. She's been
00:22forced indoors and into a debilitating routine.
00:26I can't even go out for getting the basic groceries. I have to either order it online.
00:32I can't do a lot of exercises. I can't go to the gym. I can't go for a walk downstairs.
00:38I can't even go to the balcony to do yoga because the air is just so bad.
00:43A nebuliser and medicines have eased symptoms. But her doctor has told her to move out of
00:48the city or face severe health consequences such as pneumonia.
00:53Which is obviously very heartbreaking. I have to leave my house. I have to leave the city
00:59that I've grown up in just because of the air.
01:02Air quality in northern India has deteriorated over the past week, reaching severe levels.
01:07Readings of dangerous particle matter, which can be carried into the lungs, were more than
01:11120 times the World Health Organization's recommended levels on Wednesday morning in
01:16Delhi, IQ Air said.
01:19India's nose and throat consultant, Dr. Muneesh Taneja, says this is a common issue for allergy
01:24sufferers around this time of year.
01:27Every year this season is like that. Whenever people who have some sort of mild allergy
01:33they come to Delhi, they get affected because of the pollution and all their allergies and
01:39ENT infections and chest infections go up. So they obviously, of course I advise them
01:45that if it is possible for them to move out, better to stay away from this place and stay
01:50at places where the pollution is not much.
01:54India's government has banned non-essential construction in the city and urged residents
01:59to use public transport and avoid burning coal for heating. Water with dust suppressants
02:05is being sprinkled on roads, as well as mechanised sweeping that would help settle dust.
02:11The city battles smog, a toxic mix of smoke and fog, every winter as cold air traps dust,
02:18emissions and smoke from illegal farm fires. Officials blamed high pollution combined with
02:23humidity, but calmed winds and a drop in temperature for the smog.