World's 'loudest' city with noise so extreme it's louder than living in a factory
World's 'loudest' city with noise so extreme it's louder than living in a factory
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Mumbai, one of the noisiest cities on the globe, has been slammed for its noise pollution levels, with some critics branding it "unfit for living". As India's largest city, Mumbai grapples with sound levels that often soar beyond what's considered safe. The Mumbai Times has reported that the metropolis is "unfit for living, at least on the cacophony front", due to its deafening decibel levels that reach 100 during rush hour traffic.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO) advises that daytime noise should not exceed 55 decibels and nighttime noise should be below 40 decibels to avoid health risks for those exposed. Noise pollution campaigner Sumaira Abdulali warns that anything above 80 decibels is dangerous.
In Mumbai, the primary culprits of the noise menace include construction work, fireworks, incessant honking, and blaring loudspeakers. Efforts to curb this auditory assault are underway, with the Mumbai Government looking to regulate the use of loudspeakers, as reported by One India. Moreover, the Bombay High Court has instructed the Police Commissioner to act swiftly on noise complaints linked to religious sites, as per a Hindustan Times article.
The court has declared that loudspeakers are not an essential part of any religion, thus mandating police intervention to reduce noise levels. Cairo, Egypt, is another city notorious for its noise pollution. The bustling metropolis operates round the clock, leading to alarmingly high levels of noise pollution that have been linked to hearing issues, irritability, and even fatalities.
