‘Very unhealthy’ 210 air quality score chokes Lahore

Lahore recorded a “very unhealthy” air quality level, with the US Air Quality Index (AQI) reaching 210 at around 10pm, while the worst reading of 298 was recorded at the Urban Unit in Lahore Cantonment, according to IQAir data on Wednesday.

The website also quoted Kot Addu’s AQI score at a dismal 212, advising residents to limit outdoor movement, wear masks, keep windows closed and use air purifiers where possible.

Meanwhile, the Punjab Environment Protection Agency (EPA) recorded comparatively modest readings of the air quality across the province. It noted Kot Addu’s AQI at 183, the highest in Punjab, followed by Vehari at 171, Jhelum at 169 and Sahiwal at 162. Multan and Pakpattan each recorded an AQI of 159, followed by Gujranwala at 157, Dera Ghazi Khan at 154 and Bhakkar at 153.

Sheikhupura recorded an AQI of 147, followed by Lahore at 143. Faisalabad and Khushab each registered 137, while Okara recorded 133, Bahawalpur 127 and Mandi Bahauddin 125.

Wazirabad recorded an AQI of 124, followed by Sialkot at 118, Sargodha at 115 and Murree at 114. Mianwali registered 105, Talagang 82 and Rawalpindi 68, while Jhang recorded 52 and Nankana Sahib had the lowest reading at 40.

An advisory urged people vulnerable to air pollution to monitor their health, maintain healthy eating habits and avoid smoking. It also recommended monitoring health indicators, including oxygen levels and blood pressure, and keeping emergency equipment, such as a nebuliser, available if needed.

The agency urged people experiencing respiratory problems to consult a doctor.

Similarly vulnerable groups, including children, older people and those with existing respiratory or cardiovascular conditions, were advised to limit outdoor activities, particularly when pollution levels were high.

Read: Low wind speed aggravates pollution risk

Separately, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) forecast rain, windstorms and thunderstorms in upper and central Punjab on Wednesday as a westerly wave affected most upper and central parts of the country.

PMD said heavy rain and hailstorms were possible at a few places.

The department said isolated rainfall was also forecast in Islamabad, Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B), Kashmir and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P). It warned that strong winds, hail and lightning could damage weak structures, including the roofs and walls of mud houses, electric poles, billboards, vehicles and solar panels.

It also said standing crops could be affected by the weather.

The Met Office further said most parts of the country were expected to experience mainly dry weather on Thursday, although isolated rain, wind and thunderstorms were likely in north-eastern Punjab, G-B, Kashmir and adjoining areas.