Written by Ambreen Ali
The air in Lahore has become increasingly polluted, with news about worsening conditions emerging daily. Lahore has now claimed the top spot for pollution, and smog has settled there for several years, showing no signs of receding. As a result, various illnesses are on the rise, and throat diseases, breathing difficulties, and eye irritation have become commonplace among the residents.
Having assessed Lahore, let’s take a look at Islamabad, which is also under a spell of bad luck. Once, in early November, discussions were about pleasant weather; now, the focus is on smog. The pollution has obscured the beauty of this city, blurring its stunning buildings, mountains, and trees. While passing through the picturesque Red Zone today, I noticed a haze stretching far ahead. I even felt discomfort in my throat, realizing that this is no longer the Islamabad we used to refer to while capturing the beautiful weather in pictures, contrasting it with Lahore’s polluted air. The city has now slipped to third place in terms of smog, while its neighboring Rawalpindi ranks fourth.
Smog is becoming a significant threat as pollution levels in Islamabad continue to rise. Residents are still burning waste, unaware of how much this contributes to air pollution. Additionally, smoke-emitting vehicles exacerbate the situation. Currently, symptoms like bad colds, body aches, and eye irritation are common in Islamabad.
Similar to the rest of the country, the lack of rain has contributed to the increase in smog in Islamabad. Throughout October, there have been very few instances of rainfall, leading to a severely polluted atmosphere. The Meteorological Department has forecasted strong winds and thunderstorms in various regions, including Islamabad and Lahore, which could help reduce smog and pollution. This rain would also mark the first of the winter season. Areas such as Mianwali, Khushab, Sargodha, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Mandi Bahauddin, Lahore, and Sialkot may experience strong winds and rain, with some places possibly seeing hail.
Most districts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will remain cloudy, with potential rain and hail in various areas. In Punjab, rain is expected in Murree, Galiyat, and other regions, while most districts in Balochistan will remain dry.
In Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, there may be strong winds and rain, along with light snowfall. Most districts in Sindh will experience hot and dry weather. These changes are expected to improve the overall weather situation.
On the other hand, rain has begun in Muzaffarabad and its surroundings, while snowfall has started in Upper Neelum and Mukra. This rain is expected to help eliminate smog and reduce viral infections.
