LAHORE: Smog situation worsened in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as poisonous smoke made it difficult to breathe for people, especially in Lahore, which was the worst polluted city in the world on Tuesday.

Early morning, the Air Quality Index (AQI) of Lahore reached highly hazardous 968. However, the situation improved a bit around 10:30am as the Swiss IQAir measured the AQI of Lahore at 744.

The AQI of DHA area of the provincial capital was recorded at 1,236, Johar Town 991, Syed Maratab Ali Road 1,256, and Ghazi Road interchange 904.

The AQI of Multan reached 800 while Faisalabad’s recorded at 252 and Islamabad’s 253.

The provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Peshawar, had the AQI of 258.

Meanwhile, satellite images released by the US space agency NASA showed dense smog enveloping Lahore and Multan at the weekend. No roads and buildings could be seen due to smog.

The Meteorological Department, in the meantime, forecast arrival of westerly winds in the country from Nov 14. In case of clouds, artificial rain could be possible, it added.

Meanwhile, the decision to close shops, shopping malls and markets in Lahore, Multan, Faisalabad and Gujranwala at 8pm could not be implemented fully despite sealing of shops by the district administrations.

The government has also banned outdoor dining by restaurants, outdoor games, exhibitions and events from Nov 11 to 17.

In the latest development, the Punjab government has closed educational institutions in five more divisions.

HEALTH CONCERNS 

The smog and poisonous smoke have compounded health problems in Lahore and elsewhere. According to health department figures, more than 35,000 patients visited five major hospitals in Lahore with smog-related problems.

The health officials reported that most of the children who visited hospitals complained of dry cough, difficulty in breathing, pneumonia and chest infection.

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has also issued a report that more than 11 million children under the age of five are among the Punjab population at risk due to highly polluted air.

RAIL AND ROAD SERVICES DISRUPTION 

Railway authorities stated that heavy smog in various cities caused disruptions in train schedules.

Meanwhile, passengers have reported that the Khyber Mail, which was supposed to reach Karachi Cantt Station at 10pm, arrived at 5am next morning. Passengers also complained that no one was available to provide updates on train timings.

Passengers have expressed frustration as railways authorities were reportedly refusing to issue refunds for tickets, advising travellers to simply discard them.

Motorways across Punjab remain inaccessible for most part of the day due to low visibility.

On the streets of Pakistan’s second biggest city, smog stings eyes and burns throats. Inside homes, few people can afford air purifiers to limit the damage of toxic particles that seep through doors and windows.

Schools closed in five more Punjab divisions due to rising air pollution

Schools in five more divisions of Punjab have been closed in response to increasing air pollution.

A notification has been issued regarding the school closures, which includes the Dera Ghazi Khan, Sahiwal, Sargodha, Bahawalpur, and Rawalpindi divisions.

Schools in these areas will remain closed until Nov 17. Private tuition centres will also remain shut, and teaching for all classes up to grade 12 will be conducted online.

It is worth noting that schools in Lahore, Gujranwala, Faisalabad and Multan divisions had already been closed earlier due to the same concern.

Smog to increase across Pakistan in Nov, Dec: NDMA warns

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued a smog advisory, warning of increased smog levels in various cities across Pakistan during November and December.

According to the advisory, smog is expected to significantly impact Lahore, Faisalabad, Multan, Bahawalpur, Peshawar, Nowshera, and Mardan, with peak levels likely in the morning and evening hours.

The NDMA urged citizens to take precautions by avoiding unnecessary travel and wearing masks to minimize exposure to harmful air pollutants.

Authorities are monitoring air quality levels and implementing measures to manage the smog situation, which intensifies during Pakistan’s winter months due to seasonal weather patterns and pollution levels.

Also Read: Pakistan braces for severe smog across major cities

Meanwhile, Islamabad recorded an alarming Air Quality Index (AQI) of 268, surpassing the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommended air quality guidelines by 38.7%.

Authorities have advised individuals with respiratory conditions to wear masks as a preventive measure against the hazardous air quality.