LAHORE: The provincial capital, Pakistan’s second-largest city, has plummeted to the second spot globally in air pollution rankings, surpassed only by New Delhi.
According to IQAir’s live ratings, Lahore’s Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 393, while New Delhi’s AQI was a staggering 721. The alarming pollution levels have prompted authorities to take drastic measures.
Schools in multiple districts, including Lahore, Multan, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, DG Khan, Bahawalpur, Sahiwal, Sargodha, and Rawalpindi, have been closed until November 17. Outdoor activities have also been banned to minimize exposure.
Multan, 350 kilometers from Lahore, remains the city worst hit by smog, with an AQI of 396. Last week, its AQI surpassed 2,000, an unprecedented level. The provincial Environmental Protection Agency cites an “unprecedented rise” in respiratory diseases, allergies, and eye/throat irritation.
Peshawar, in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, has also been affected, although smog levels have slightly decreased, with an AQI of 187. Authorities advise citizens to stay indoors, wear masks, and keep doors/windows closed.
The smog crisis has caused widespread traffic disruptions and accidents due to low visibility. A fatal collision in Kamalia, Punjab, killed one person and injured three others.
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