There was a time when people first searched for weather updates when they logged on to the internet. Today, across several cities, people first search for smog- and pollution-related updates before beginning their day.

And, this is reflected in the trends data from Google. Compared to other health issues, such as heart attacks and flu, Indians seem far more concerned about air pollution. Search interest in terms related to air pollution exceeds both heart attacks and flu, and peak in October-November, driven by increased interest from Delhi-National Capital Region. This is the period when a combination of crop burning, industrial activity, higher traffic and winds envelope much of north India in a visibly toxic smog.