Climate change and worsening air pollution are combining to create a growing respiratory health crisis across India, with doctors warning that heatwaves, toxic air, allergens and shifting weather patterns are driving a sharp rise in lung‑related illnesses. Health experts say the impact is no longer theoretical — it is already visible in clinics and hospitals nationwide.
Climate change is now recognised as a major public‑health threat, extending far beyond rising temperatures. The World Health Organisation has repeatedly identified air pollution as one of the leading environmental risks for disease and premature death. In India, prolonged heat exposure, changing rainfall patterns, longer allergy seasons and frequent extreme weather events are intensifying respiratory vulnerabilities.
Doctors report a surge in patients suffering from asthma, allergic bronchitis and recurrent respiratory infections, with many experiencing more frequent flare‑ups, longer recovery times and a greater need for medical intervention during periods of extreme heat or poor air quality. They warn that heat and pollution together increase oxidative stress in the lungs, irritate airways and weaken the body’s ability to cope with respiratory triggers.
Dr. Vineela Surapaneni, Consultant in Pulmonary Medicine at SPARSH Hospital in Bengaluru, said the effects of climate change are now “directly visible” in respiratory practice. Rising temperatures, wildfire smoke, elevated ground‑level ozone and persistent pollution are increasingly triggering airway inflammation and worsening chronic lung conditions.
Even patients whose conditions were previously well‑controlled are reporting worsened symptoms during pollution spikes or sudden weather changes. Doctors say the combination of heat and pollution is creating a “perfect storm” for lung health, especially for children, the elderly and people with pre‑existing respiratory diseases.