Rain and hail offer Lahore residents reprieve, city’s global AQI ranking slips to 13

PMD says provincial capital to witness temperature dip up to 18.5°C tonight

Rain and hail were reported in several parts of Lahore on Saturday, improving air quality as the city ranked 13th among the world’s most air-polluted cities, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) score of 133.

Precipitation was reported in Gajjumata, Nishtar, Chungi, Walton, Township and Harbanspura, as well as Gulberg, DHA, Model Town and Raiwind Road areas.

According to the met department, the temperature of the provincial capital also dipped after precipitation. At 7pm, Lahore’s minimum temperature stood at 18.5°C.

Read: Lahore tops polluted cities' list again

In the global ranking recorded around 8pm on Saturday, Lahore stood 13th, with an AQI of 133 considered "unhealthy for sensitive groups". Dakar, Senegal, topped the list with an AQI of 297, followed by Kuching, Malaysia, at 208 and Mumbai, India, at 186.

A different local air-quality update placed Lahore sixth among the most air-polluted Pakistani cities, with an average AQI of 172. Monitoring stations recorded readings of 222 on GT Road, 211 on Ravi Road and 204 in Model Town.

شمال مشرقی پنجاب کے لیے موسم کی صورتحال pic.twitter.com/qdNtwaxVT4

— Pak Met Department محکمہ موسمیات (@pmdgov) October 24, 2026

Separately, the Pakistan Meteorological Department issued a weather alert today, reporting an active weather system over Gujranwala and adjoining areas. It forecast strong winds, thunderstorms and rain in Lahore, Sialkot, Narowal, Gujranwala, Sheikhupura, Kasur and surrounding areas.

A subsequent daily forecast predicted mainly dry weather across most districts of Punjab tonight and tomorrow (Sunday). It said Murree, Galiyat and adjoining areas were expected to experience cold and partial cloud cover.