India, Oct. 14 -- As air quality continues to deteriorate, hospitals in Gurugram are witnessing a surge in respiratory illness cases, said health department officials on Monday. However, due to frequent rain showers in two months, cases of asthma, cold and cough, bronchitis, and nasobronchial allergies have not risen dramatically compared to last year.

Data reveals that between September 1 and 13, a total of 748 cases of acute respiratory illnesses were reported in the district, a 123% increase compared to emergency cases in August. In contrast to last year, 636 (October), 686 (November), 686 (December) emergencies were reported during the festive season.

Dr. Lokveer Singh, primary medical officer at sector 10A Civil Hospital noted a sh...