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As winter sets in, air pollution levels are steadily rising across Gujarat, with Ahmedabad recording an Air Quality Index (AQI) above 200 in several areas for consecutive days. The deteriorating air quality has led to a worrying increase in respiratory-related health emergencies.
Data reveals that more than 1.29 lakh emergency calls related to breathing problems were registered across Gujarat in a single year.
According to available information, 2025 has witnessed an alarming rise in respiratory patients, with an average of 361 cases reported daily, translating to around 15 cases every hour.
2023 recorded around 91,000 respiratory-related calls
2025 saw a 40% increase compared to 2023
Ahmedabad tops the list with the highest number of respiratory emergency calls in 2025, registering 31,162 cases.
After Ahmedabad, Surat ranks second and Vadodara third in the number of such emergency calls.
Medical experts have advised people with respiratory conditions to wear masks when stepping outdoors.
They warn that changing lifestyles, indoor and outdoor air pollution are leading to serious respiratory diseases, including Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).
Experts note that COPD in India often begins after the age of 30, particularly among individuals who have smoked or been exposed to biomass fuels for nearly 15 years.