Blanket of smoke triggers breathing, skin and mental health issues | Dehradun News - Times of India

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DEHRADUN: The

wildfires

raging across Uttarakhand have not only scorched 1,144 hectares of forest land in six months but also shrouded nearby regions in

smoke

and haze. The smoke is triggering

health issues

, even

mental health

disorders like anxiety and depression among residents, with many people, particularly children and the elderly, complaining of burning sensation in the eyes and

respiratory problems

.

"Instances of people being referred from Champawat to Delhi due to breathing problems had also surfaced," said Nita Pawar, a resident of Nainital. Charan Negi from Pauri Garhwal described the suffocating conditions, saying, "We are enveloped by a thick layer of smoke, unable to breathe comfortably. Breathing discomfort is particularly evident among the children and the elderly."

Medical professionals said hospitals are experiencing a surge in respiratory and skin ailments among patients. "Community health centres in rural hill areas have observed an increase in respiratory and skin-related cases, and this trend is expected to persist for some time, as recovery in such cases naturally takes time," a senior doctor from the health department said.

Madhavi Daruwala, a resident of Sattal in Nainital, said, "Bhowali was blanketed by haze and smoke for three days. This is disturbing as it is not only forests but also animals and birds living there that are affected. The thought of these living beings, who cannot speak about their pain and suffering, is depressing. Also, there is a constant fear of the fires reaching urban areas."

The looming ecological impact adds to the concerns of locals. Daruwala highlighted the potential increase in landslides due to the loss of vegetation. "We expect landslides to increase this year due to forest fires. Boulders are held in place by soil, trees, bushes, grass, and all these are getting burnt," she said.

Amid the crisis, concerns about timely response have arisen. "Ill-timed discontinuation of disaster management helpline number in Nainital has impacted timely reporting of fire cases," Pawar added.

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