High alert sounded as worsening smog chokes Lahore

Despite tall claims made by the government that it is taking steps to rid Lahore of smog, the air quality in the city continues to deteriorate with each passing day as with the air quality index (AQI) recorded at 588, the city again topped the list of the world’s most polluted cities on Tuesday, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

The AQI at Phase-8, DHA rose to 818, while it was recorded at 711 at Askari-10.

Similarly, it stood at 671 at Syed Maratab Ali Road and 617 at the US consulate.  

Punjab Environment Department issued a “high alert” warning that next 24 hours could be critical for the citizens of Lahore.

Environmentalists, on the other hand, expressed the fear that the current wave of smog would continue and would become more intense in the coming days as winds will blow from east to west (from India to Pakistan) in the next 24 hours at the speed fluctuating between four kilometers and eight kilometers.     

Meanwhile, doctors advised people to limit their outdoor activities, and if it was really necessary to go outside wear facemasks before stepping out of their homes.  

To make matters further worse for Lahorites, the Met Office forecast dry weather for the city and most of other parts of the country during the next 24 hours.  

Multan emerged as the second most polluted city in the country as the AQI touched 569 mark there.

Multan was followed by Peshawar where the AQI stood at 222.  

Similarly, farmers on both sides of India-Pakistan border have been urged to avoid burning crop's residue so that pollution level could be controlled.

US Air Quality Index predicts Lahore AQI

The air quality index (AQI) in Lahore, which was recorded at 588 in the morning, rose to 609 later in the day, placing the Punjab capital at the top of the list of the world’s most polluted cities, said the US air quality index, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Tuesday.

The US Meteorological Department forecast that the provincial capital would remain in the grip of strong winds for the next three days, which could result in deterioration in the situation as the AQI in the city might range between 600 and 700 on November 6, 7 and 8.  

Winds blowing from India to Pakistani Punjab at the speed of four kilometers per hour further exacerbated the situation. 

Meanwhile, the destruction of brick kilns in Punjab, which were built in violation of the zigzag technology, continued.  

Similarly, the spray of water on streets, roads and bazaars also continued, while officials of the city administration fined those contributing to smog in the city.  

Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb appealed to people, especially those who are aged, patients and children, to exercise caution at least for the next three days as the pollution level in the city was extraordinarily high. “Please wear facemasks and take other precautionary measures.”

She said that the government would use the option of artificial rain in the city after taking weathermen on board. 

Marriyum said that burning the crop’s residue at this stage would amount to aggravating the situation further. 

She urged people to immediately report on 1373 if they noticed any violation of the rules devised by the government to control smog.

Indian capital New Delhi, with AQI recorded at 408, was ranked as the second most polluted city in the world, Iraqi capital Baghdad was on the third spot while the Indian city of Kolkata emerged as the fourth most polluted city as the AQI in the city stood at 160.

Reporter: Komal Aslam