Twin cities issue anti-smog advisory

As the air quality index (AQI) reached 200 in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad on Thursday, the district administrations and the departments of higher education, health and environmental protection issued a new 12-point anti-smog advisory guideline for citizens, including civil servants and students.

Under the new guideline, citizens have been advised to wear masks and wash their hands, mouths and eyes using clear water, wear glasses during outdoor movements, use full-sleeved shirts, avoid rubbing eyes during swelling or pain and stay away from lighting a fire to dispose of garbage in houses, streets, neighbourhoods, markets, roofs of houses, offices, colleges and schools.

The residents of both cities have been further advised against spraying in standing water in the open and in residential properties and urged to drink 10 to 12 glasses of water daily, coffee, tea and cold soup.

The guideline further advises motorcyclists to wear masks during bike riding and households and staff of houses and offices to keep windows and doors closed. The instructions have been issued to immediately sweep the soil/sand around the clothes and the body.