Punjab's polluted skies show little respite

Air pollution remained a concern across Punjab on Wednesday with Kot Addu recording the province's highest Air Quality Index (AQI) reading at 183 and Lahore registering 143, according to data released by the Environment Protection Agency.

Kot Addu topped the city ranking, followed by Vehari at 171 and Jhelum at 169. Sahiwal recorded 162, while Multan and Pakpattan each registered 159. Gujranwala recorded 157, Dera Ghazi Khan 154 and Bhakkar 153.

Sheikhupura's reading was 147, placing it ahead of Lahore, which ranked 12th in the list. Faisalabad and Khushab each recorded 137, followed by Okara at 133, Bahawalpur at 127 and Mandi Bahauddin at 125. Wazirabad registered an AQI of 124, while Sialkot recorded 118, Sargodha 115 and Murree 114. Mianwali stood at 105 and Talagang at 82. Rawalpindi recorded 68, while Jhang and Nankana Sahib registered 52 and 40, respectively.

An advisory urged people vulnerable to air pollution to monitor their health, maintain healthy eating habits and avoid smoking. It recommended tracking health indicators, including oxygen levels and blood pressure, and keeping emergency equipment such as a nebuliser ready if needed. People experiencing respiratory problems were advised to consult a doctor.

Children, older people and those with existing respiratory or cardiovascular conditions were advised to limit outdoor activity, particularly when pollution levels are elevated.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan Meteorological Department forecast rain, windstorms and thunderstorms in upper and central Punjab as a westerly wave affected most upper and central parts of the country. Heavy rain and hailstorms were possible at a few places. Isolated rainfall was also forecast in Islamabad, Gilgit-Baltistan, Kashmir and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.

The department 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. Standing crops could also be affected.