TNI Bureau: Air quality deteriorated sharply across several parts of the country, with seven towns in Odisha featuring among the 10 Indian cities that recorded ‘very poor’ air quality, according to data released by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

Talcher in Angul district emerged as the most polluted town in the country, recording an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 380. Angul town followed closely as the second most polluted city nationwide, with an AQI of 346.

Apart from Talcher and Angul, five other Odisha towns — Balasore, Baripada, Bhubaneswar, Cuttack and Keonjhar — also reported very poor air quality levels. AQI readings stood at 318 in Balasore, 312 in Baripada, 317 in Bhubaneswar, 324 in Cuttack and 311 in Keonjhar.

Outside Odisha, Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh, Bikaner in Rajasthan, Singrauli in Madhya Pradesh and Delhi were the other cities placed in the ‘very poor’ category, with AQI values of 341, 329, 320 and 236, respectively.

Health experts warned that prolonged exposure to very poor air quality can pose serious health risks, including respiratory ailments, aggravated asthma and reduced lung function. Children, the elderly and individuals with pre-existing health conditions have been advised to limit outdoor activities.

The surge in pollution levels, particularly in industrial and urban centres such as the Angul–Talcher region, has renewed concerns over industrial emissions, vehicular pollution, coal-based operations and inadequate pollution control measures.