Black dust chokes lives in Visakhapatnam
Residents of Visakhapatnam are suffering from severe respiratory issues and anxiety due to heavy coal and iron ore dust pollution in their neighborhoods. Families are increasingly relying on air purifiers and home modifications to cope with the deteriorating air quality.
Why it matters
Highlights the public health crisis caused by industrial pollution in urban residential areas.
Ravi, 24, a resident of Chengalraopeta in One Town area, wakes up as early as 5.30 a.m. and switches on an air purifier placed beside the bed on which his 48-year-old mother is sleeping. Ravi’s mother has been experiencing respiratory problems, which the family believes have been aggravated due to the worsening air pollution in the area.
The family has been living in the area for decades, and since the elderly and children began to suffer from respiratory issues, the family members have started taking precautions. They maintain door meshes and have installed air purifiers to prevent the pollution from entering the house and worsening their health conditions.
For residents of the South Assembly constituency in Visakhapatnam, especially around Old Post Office, Kurupam Market, and Chengalraopeta, it is an uncomfortable description of their everyday reality.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in