The ranking of Lahore, which has been making headlines for the last couple of weeks for being the most polluted city in the world, slightly improved on Wednesday when, with the air quality index (AQI) 409, it was second on the list of the world cities with worst pollution levels, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
While on the one hand, smog and fog have considerably reduced visibility on roads, it has led to an increase in chest, eye and throat infections.
The AQI over the city’s Fida Hussain Road was recorded at 1071 followed by Syed Maratab Ali Road where it stood at 744.
Similarly, the AQI was 647 over Ghazi Road and 425 over Johar Town.
The minimum temperature in the city was recorded at 19 degrees Celsius, while the maximum temperature was expected to reach 26 later in the day.
Sections of motorway closed
Different sections of the motorway were closed for traffic due to poor visibility on account of smog.
M-2, from Lahore to Kot Momin, M-3, from Faizpur to Darkhana, M-4, from Pindi Bhattian to Multan, M-5 from Rahim Yar Khan to Rohri, and M-11, from Lahore to Sialkot, were all declared off-limits for traffic.
Motorists were advised to first avoid travelling unnecessarily due to poor visibility. And if it was really necessary, travel during the daytime, between 10:00 AM and 6:00 PM and turn the lights of their vehicles on during smog.
Motorway Police (MP) spokesman Syed Imran Ahmad also urged motorists to drive at a slow pace and keep distance from other vehicles. “In case of an emergency or for seeking information, contact on helpline no 130,” Imran said.
Smog in other Punjab cities
It is not only Lahore, which remains engulfed by smog, other cities of Punjab too are not less affected.
In Gujranwala, poor air quality is taking its toll on people’s health.
People are landing at hospitals with chest, throat and eye infections.
The situation is particularly alarming for the aged people and those suffering from asthma since they experience difficulty in breathing.
Similarly, children, too, remain affected by smog.
Residents of the city are also to blame since they hardly use facemasks due to which they fall sick.
Likewise pollution levels are also high in Narowal, a city not far from Gujranwala, reducing visibility almost to nil in some areas and making people sick. The AQI was recorded at 240.
Reporters: Komal Aslam, Rana Faran Yamin, Zahid Iqbal Rana, Yasir Arafat