The level of hazardous air pollution in Lahore and other Punjab areas still remains the same putting people’s health at risk, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Wednesday. 

Though the Punjab government on Tuesday declared an environmental emergency in parts of the province but the air quality level has not been improved. 

Lahore has become the second most polluted city in the world with the air quality level reaching 319. As per the weather report, there is no chance of shower in the city which might help clear the air. The temperature of the city was recorded 13 degree Celsius today.

The IQ level recorded in different areas of Lahore was as under: Fida Hussain Road 510, Syed Maratab Ali Road 452, Canal Bank Road 368, Johar Town K Block 368, DHA Phase 2 360, and Kot Lakhpat 356. 

The Lahore High Court has taken serious notice of the rising air pollution levels in the city and has directed the provincial government to issue notification of three-day closure of the educational institutions. 

The school educational department has advised the students to wear masks and glasses. It has also directed the school administrations to sprinkle water in the open fields of schools.

Yesterday, the Punjab government while imposing an environmental emergency ordered effective implementation of a plan to cut down hazardous level of smog. 

According to the proposed plan, the provincial government will take legal action against smoke-emitting vehicles, farmers will be provided with a modern harvester to destroy crop residues, all brick kilns will be transferred to zigzag technology, car-free zones to be set up in Lahore, and more and more trees will be planted across the city.

Weather will remain cold, dry in most areas of country

According to the Metrological Department report, weather will remain cold and dry in most parts of the country on Wednesday. 

There is a possibility of rain at some places in Gilgit-Baltistan and light snowfall on the mountains. 

The weather in the last 24 hours has been cold and dry in most parts of the country, while weather in Gilgit-Baltistan and North Balochistan has been extremely cold during the night and morning hours. 

The plains of Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Upper Sindh remained under the influence of fog.

Minimum temperature recorded today: Leh minus 11, Skardu minus 07, Kalam minus 05, Ziarat, Gopus minus 04, Kalat, Gilgit and Astor recorded minus 03 degree Celsius.

Reporters Samra Fatima, Rozina Ali and Komal Aslam