Lahore and other cities of Punjab continue to remain in the grip of smog as the Punjab capital, with the air quality index (AQI) recorded at 781, was again ranked as the world’s most polluted city on Tuesday, and the situation was expected to persist or even get worse in the coming days since dry weather was forecast for the provincial capital, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
Smog and fog together resulted in a marked reduction in visibility, leading to the closure of different sections of the motorway besides disturbing the flights schedule.
At the same time, people continue to fall sick as exposure to extremely polluted air has led to an increase in chest, eye and throat infections.
The situation is particularly precarious for the aged people, who experience difficulty in breathing.
The AQI over Syed Maratab Ali Road in Lahore was recorded at 1,182. The US consulate, with AQI standing at 922, was the second most polluted area in the city. Similarly, it was 856 over the Ghazi Road Interchange, 792 over Johar Town, and 666 over Askari-10.
Smog to persist in major cities: NDMA
Smog conditions are expected to persist across urban centres in Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including Lahore, Faisalabad, Multan, Bahawalpur, Peshawar, Mardan, and Nowshera, throughout November and December due to high humidity, low wind speeds, and upper atmospheric pressure.
In an advisory issued on Tuesday, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) urged the public to take necessary precautions.
The advisory highlights the rising smog levels in the affected areas, driven by the current weather conditions, and advises residents to avoid prolonged outdoor exposure and adopt protective measures to safeguard their health.
The advisory states that the National Emergency Operation Centre has been monitoring the current smog situation in Pakistan and surrounding regions.
According to the advisory, the team has access to advanced ground-based and space-based monitoring tools, enabling the analysis and projection of pollution emissions from various sources, including industry, transportation, and agriculture.
This includes emissions from stubble burning, volatile organic compounds, nitrogen oxides, surface-level ozone, and particulate matter like PM10 and PM 2.5. By analyzing aerosol optical depth data, the team is identifying hotspots heavily impacted by smog.
The NDMA advisory recommends several measures to mitigate the effects of smog, such as avoiding unnecessary outdoor exposure during peak smog hours, especially in the morning, and wearing masks during outdoor activities.
Staying hydrated, using dehumidifiers and air purifiers to improve indoor air quality, and adopting efficient transportation methods—like carpooling and eco-friendly driving, along with using COx and NOx filters—are also advised.
Mercury down
On the other hand, both day and night temperatures have come down in the provincial capital in the last couple of days, signalling the onset of the winter season.
The minimum temperature in the city was recorded at 20 degrees Celsius, which was expected to go up to 28 degrees Celsius in the afternoon.
Multan emerged as the most polluted city in the country as the AQI there shot up to 1,222 followed by Peshawar where it was recorded at 253. The AQI in Islamabad stood at 244.
Similarly, the air quality in other cities of Punjab such as Faisalabad, Shahkot, Pakpattan, Muridke, Manawala and Pattoki was extremely hazardous as well.
Doctors urge people to take precautionary measures
Realizing the gravity of the situation, doctors have advised people to mostly stay indoors, and wear facemasks and spectacles if it is really necessary to go outside so that they could protect themselves from smog.
Smog leads to closure of motorway
Different sections of the motorway had to be closed for traffic as smog reduced visibility considerably.
M-2, the section of the motorway connecting Lahore to Sialkot, M-3, from Lahore to Darkhana, M-4, from Pindi Bhattian to Multan and M-5, from Rahim Yar Khan to Sukkur were also closed.
Spokesman for the Motorway Police Syed Imran Ahmad asked people to mostly travel during the daytime, adding travelling between 10:00 AM and 6:00 PM was the best time for the purpose.
He also urged motorists to turn the fog lights of their vehicles on while driving and avoid driving at a fast pace.
50pc Punjab govt employees to work from home
Director-General of Environment Protection Agency Punjab (EPA) Dr. Imran Hamid on Tuesday directed all provincial secretaries and heads to allow only 50 percent employees to attend office while remaining 50 percent staff will work from home.
In a notification he directed to hold all official and departmental meetings online. This decision will be implemented in all government, non-government and autonomous bodies of Punjab.
The notification further stated that due to increase in omission of poisonous smoke from vehicles an alarming situation being witnessed in smog spreading.
This provincial government took this decision to decrease flow of traffic on roads. Implementation of order regarding work from home will come into effect immediately.
Reporters: Komal Aslam, Waseem Shehzad, Rao Dilshad Hussain and Hassan Malik