Light rain in Lahore and heavy downpour in several nearby cities on Friday proved a blessing by providing relief to the citizens from toxic smog and air pollution.
The air quality improved after the rain and wind blowing subsequently diffused the smog that had enveloped the city over the past fortnight, indicating relief for the residents from the risk of related disease.
The resulting improvement in the environmental conditions prompted Caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi to announce lifting of an ongoing smart lockdown from Saturday.
He stated in a tweet that as the air quality had improved, businesses may resume as per routine and restaurants may operate after 6pm.
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The rain proclaimed the advent of winter in the region with the Air Quality Index level dropping in the city and adjoining districts.
Several parts of the provincial capital received light rain overnight amid smart lockdown restrictions imposed by the caretaker Punjab government in Lahore and neighbouring districts to curb smog.
Heavy rain was reported in Gujranwala, Gujrat and Sheikhupura from midnight and in the morning. The residents of the districts had also been suffering due to the smog and the local administration had been engaged in actions to improve the environment.
Rainwater accumulated on various roads in Muridke, Kamoke, Gujranwala, Sheikhupura and Gujrat.
The smart lockdown had been imposed in the Lahore, Sheikhupura, Kasur, Gujranwala, Nankana Sahib, Narowal, Hafizabad and Sialkot districts. Schools in the districts remained closed on Friday as the students enjoyed four holidays in the week to get a relief from the smog. The government had also shut the parks, cinemas and offices along with imposing restrictions under Section 144.
The rain in the Walled City, Samnabad, Shahdara, Manawan, Iqbal town, Defence, Sanda and other parts of Lahore reduced the intensity of the smog, while heavy downpour in other districts cleared the sky and was followed by cool, fresh air.
Citizens wore coats, jackets and sweaters due to the cold weather and enjoyed the clean atmosphere.
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The relief came after two weeks of Lahore figuring among the most polluted cities of the world with worsening AQI readings.
There had also been a rush of patients at hospitals due to chest and eye infection, skin diseases, cough and other health problems.
The Punjab government had taken steps including the formation of a monitoring committee and action against factories, brick kilns and unfit vehicles before imposing the partial lockdown. The government had also engaged public sector universities and colleges in an anti-smog campaign and advised them to organise seminars and other programmes to awareness regarding the issue.
"This rain is a blessing as the people had been praying for it. It is good that almost all parts of Lahore benefitted,” a former medical superintendent of the Lady Wallington Hospital, Dr Sabahat Habib, said while speaking to The Express Tribune.
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“We are breathing in fresh air today and also seeing the clear sky. This rain will also give relief to the people from health problems,” she added.
Environment Protection Deputy Director Farooq Alam said the air in Lahore had been cleansed. The AQI recorded in the city on Friday was 60, which deemed clean.
However, the electricity transmission system was affected by the rain in the region.
More than 75 feeders of the Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO) tripped due to the rain. Several areas lost power supply due to the tripping and other technical faults.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 11th, 2023.
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