Delhi Winters: A Breathless Battle for Survival

The annual winter smog in Delhi presents a critical survival challenge for individuals with chronic respiratory illnesses. Families grapple with immense financial pressure due to escalating costs of medicines, nebulizers, and doctor's consultations, sometimes amounting to lakhs of rupees over several years. This persistent health crisis triggers significant mental distress, turning the winter months into a season of fear and uncertainty for affected households.

The severe air pollution directly worsens conditions like bronchitis and asthma, leading to frequent hospital visits and a constant struggle for breath. For many, the cost of treatment strains household budgets to the breaking point, forcing difficult choices between essential expenses and life-saving medication. The impact extends beyond physical health, creating a profound psychological burden on patients and their loved ones.

Residents like Sunita, Pooja, and Sandeep share harrowing experiences, highlighting how pollution drastically curtails daily life, limits social interactions, and necessitates drastic lifestyle changes. Despite considering relocation, the deep roots in the city and the disruption to jobs and education make leaving a difficult prospect, leaving them to cope with the pervasive threat of toxic air.