Breathing Battles

I’ve lived in Hyderabad my whole life. I’ve had asthma since childhood, but over the past few years, it feels like the city has become harder and harder to breathe in. With the growing traffic, construction dust, and rising temperatures, my symptoms have become more frequent and severe. Some mornings, I wake up wheezing, even after keeping my windows shut and using an air purifier at night. What makes it worse is how unpredictable the weather has become. Sometimes it’s scorching hot one day and raining the next, which messes with my breathing. Pollution from vehicles and garbage burning in some areas adds a constant layer of irritation to the air. It is exhausting, physically and emotionally. I have to adjust my work schedule and social life around air quality alerts. But I know I’m not alone. Many people in Hyderabad, especially kids and the elderly, are struggling just like me. I hope we start prioritizing cleaner air and sustainable development, so the next generation doesn’t have to grow up with inhalers as a daily necessity.