Lahore's smog level slips further, ranked 4th in world
Lahore's air quality showed a marginal improvement on Monday as the city's Air Quality Index (AQI) remained in the "very unhealthy" range with an AQI of 250.
New Delhi, India’s capital, topped the AQI list with a staggering 1687 points, prompting authorities to switch schools to online classes due to the hazardous smog.
As of the latest real-time data, Multan in Punjab continues to top the list of most polluted cities in Pakistan with a US AQI of 198.
Lahore, also in Punjab, follows closely with an AQI of 197, both of which fall under the "Very Unhealthy" category.
Other major cities like Karachi and Rawalpindi are also experiencing high levels of air pollution, with AQI values of 163 and 157, respectively.
Islamabad, the federal capital, has an AQI of 152, while Peshawar and Abbottabad report somewhat lower pollution levels, with AQIs of 137 and 105.
Haripur, located in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, currently has the best air quality in this list, though its AQI of 80 still indicates moderate pollution.
The dangerous PM2.5 pollutants, which can enter the bloodstream through the lungs.
The latest air quality readings from various locations in Lahore show alarming pollution levels, with Syed Maratib Ali Road topping the list at an AQI of 688, placing it in the "hazardous" category.
Shahrah-e-Quaid-e-Azam follows with an AQI of 455, while Valencia Town 332 AQI and WWF-Pakistan 310 AQi also report very high pollution levels.
Other areas such as CERP Office 294 AQI, Ghazi Road Interchange 276 AQI, and Revenue Employees Coop Housing Society 265 AQI are also experiencing unhealthy air quality.
Even locations like the University of Management and Technology 237 AQI and VTS 226 AQI show concerning levels, indicating widespread pollution throughout the city.
Earlier Yesterday, Lahore's air quality showed a marginal improvement on Sunday as the city's Air Quality Index (AQI) dropped below the "hazardous" category, though it remained in the "very unhealthy" range with an AQI of 247.
This shift offered a brief respite after weeks of heavy smog that had engulfed the city, severely affecting daily life and public health.
Lahore, the capital of Punjab with a population of around 14 million, had earlier been ranked the second most polluted city in the world, as per the Swiss-based IQAir, which tracks global air quality.
New Delhi, India's capital, led the list with an AQI of 559, far surpassing Lahore's levels.
The persistent smog crisis has been worsened by several contributing factors, including illegal stubble burning, emissions from low-grade diesel fuel, and trapped dust particles due to the colder winter weather.
Authorities have also pointed to cross-border pollution from neighboring India as a major factor impacting Lahore's air quality.
Smog-induced health crisis deepens
The hazardous air quality has led to significant health concerns, with over 75,000 people in Punjab seeking medical treatment for respiratory issues on Saturday alone.
Hospitals in Lahore and surrounding areas reported an influx of patients suffering from conditions aggravated by the toxic smog.
Among the patients, there were 3,359 cases of asthma, 286 cases of heart diseases, and 627 cases of conjunctivitis, with the highest number of affected individuals recorded in Lahore.
In response to the worsening air quality, the Punjab government declared a health emergency in Lahore and Multan divisions.
Authorities imposed several measures, including a 10-day ban on construction activities and restrictions on business operations, such as limiting restaurants to takeaway services after 4 pm. Schools in these areas shifted to online classes to minimize exposure to the dangerous air.
The dense smog has also impacted transportation, with over 20 flights at Lahore Airport delayed due to poor visibility. Additionally, train services were affected, further complicating the daily commute for residents.
Local authorities have urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel, use fog lights when driving, and adhere to speed limits for safety. Despite these measures, the smog remains a significant public health threat, with experts predicting that it could continue to worsen until the weather changes.