Alarming AQI levels choke twin cities

The air quality index (AQI) crossed an alarming level of 200 in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad on Friday. The AQI in Islamabad was reported at 202 and in Rawalpindi at 204, causing a spread of cold, flu, cough, fever and conjunctivitis.

A 'complete incompetence' and lack of timely measures adopted by the district administrations first caused a surge in dengue fever cases and now smog.

Sources claimed that the district administrations and health and environment protection departments were only engaged in meetings.

The incidents of crop residue and garbage burning are continuing and the shifting of building materials and garbage through trucks is also going on without cover across the district and in the city. Smoke-emitting vehicles could also be seen on every road without any checks.

About 4,000 patients, who suffered multiple diseases because of increasing air pollution, came to hospitals in the last three days. Among them were a good number of school students. A good number of patients with conjunctivitis, cold, flu, cough, fever and headache also thronged private hospitals and street clinics. Doctors in the street clinics charged a Rs500 fee per patient and administered substandard medicines.

According to the health department officials, both dengue and smog will end as soon as the rains take place in the twin cities.