Hazardous smog from India chokes Lahore, visibility drops to 800m

Hazardous air quality levels were recorded in Lahore, with visibility dropping to 800 meters due to smog drifting from Amritsar, India.

The Punjab government reports that smog-laden winds have increased the Air Quality Index (AQI) to dangerous levels in the provincial capital, Express Tribune reported.

Pollution monitoring satellites and meteorological research in Pakistan have tracked the smog from Delhi, Chandigarh, and Amritsar, moving towards Lahore at a speed of 7 kilometres per hour.

The severe pollution is causing respiratory illnesses among residents, with symptoms such as cough, fever, eye irritation, and sore throats becoming widespread.

Experts advise residents, particularly those with respiratory conditions, to limit outdoor exposure. The current AQI in Lahore is deemed hazardous, especially for sensitive groups, as dry weather persists without expected rainfall.

Meteorologists forecast dry weather over the next few days, suggesting little relief from the pollution. Health experts recommend wearing masks and goggles, avoiding unnecessary travel, and keeping children indoors.

People with respiratory or heart conditions are advised to consult their doctors before exercising outdoors and to avoid travelling to heavily smog-affected areas.

Secretary of the Environment Department, Raja Jahangir Anwar, has urged the public to report any smoke emissions to the helpline 1373.

Yesterday, Punjab's Senior Minister Maryam Aurangzeb addressed the issue of air pollution in Lahore.

She emphasised that despite significant measures, it would take eight to ten years to eliminate smog from the city.

In a press conference regarding the Anti-Smog Action Plan, Aurangzeb highlighted that certain hotspots in Lahore are plagued by methane clouds and heat islands.

She mentioned that out of 45,000 motorcycles in the city, 1,800 are emitting smoke, along with one hundred thousand vehicles, 1,200 kilns, and 60,800 industrial units all while the city supports a population of 15 million.

Aurangzeb pointed out that Lahore has 275 days of unhealthy AQI levels throughout the year, with temperatures rising by 3.2 degrees Celsius.

She called on Lahore's residents to declare war against smog, acknowledging that individual and collective efforts would still require 8 to 10 years to see results.

She clarified that only 30% of the smog in Lahore originates from India, while the remaining 70% is produced locally.

She revealed that 700 kilns have been demolished in the province, with 212 in Lahore alone, emphasising a zero-tolerance policy towards emissions. The Environmental Protection Department has conducted 15,000 visits to industrial units, sealing 64 mills and demolishing 152 factories.

To combat pollution, the government is promoting efficient waste disposal practices among farmers and has filed over 400 FIRs against those burning crop residue.

Targeted anti-smog squads are operating in affected areas, monitoring vehicle emissions, and ensuring that no smoky vehicles enter Lahore without proper fitness certificates.