Air quality improves in metropolis

Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb stated on Sunday that Lahore's Air Quality Index (AQI) improved from 247 in the morning to 177 by the evening, while the reading for New Delhi had surged from 601 to 720.

She said the rise in air pollution in India was largely due to crop residue burning.

The senior minister said a shift in the direction of easterly winds had temporarily halted the influx of polluted air from India into Pakistan.

She explained that the fog observed in Pakistan in the night was a result of air conditions caused by post-harvest wheat residue.

Marriyum Aurangzeb emphasized that cooperation between institutions and the public had brought noticeable improvement in the situation.

However, she cautioned that this was just the beginning. Sustained efforts are needed to achieve lasting environmental improvement and protection from smog, she addded.

She added that with the implementation of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif's vision for environmental enhancement, significant progress would be evident in the coming years.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) predicted mainly dry and cold weather in the provincial metropolis and other districts, while smog is likely to prevail over plain areas of Punjab.

As per a PMD report, continental air prevails over most parts of Pakistan.

A much-awaited wet spell for the last couple of days helped reduce the intensity of smog by washing away hazardous pollutants from the atmosphere.

The National Highways and Motorway police (NH&MP) also opened the M-2 from Kot Momin and Salam interchanges to Lahore and Islamabad.

However, it requested the people to avoid unnecessary travel in foggy weather and use fog lights in vehicles.

A spokesman advised drivers to keep the distance between vehicles longer than usual amidst fog. Helpline number 130 can be contacted for assistance during and before starting journey.

With additional input from APP