Lahore, November 17, 2024- Lahore witnessed a slight improvement in air quality on Sunday as the city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) dropped below the “hazardous” level. However, with an AQI of 247, the air remained in the “very unhealthy” category.
The improvement offered a brief reprieve following weeks of thick smog that disrupted daily life and posed severe health risks. Lahore, home to approximately 14 million residents and the capital of Punjab province, recently ranked as the world’s second most polluted city, according to Swiss air quality monitoring agency IQAir. New Delhi, India, claimed the top spot with an alarming AQI of 559.
The smog crisis, an annual winter phenomenon, has been worsened by several factors, including illegal crop stubble burning, emissions from low-grade diesel, and trapped dust due to colder weather. Authorities have also cited pollution from neighboring India as a contributing factor.
In response to the deteriorating air quality, local authorities declared a health emergency in Lahore and Multan. Measures include shifting schools to online classes, imposing a 10-day ban on construction activities, and limiting business operations, such as allowing restaurants to operate only for takeaway after 4 PM.
Punjab’s Minister for Information, Marriyum Aurangzeb, emphasized the urgency of addressing the crisis, urging residents to avoid unnecessary travel, use fog lights, and adhere to speed limits for safety during foggy conditions.
The smog has significantly disrupted transportation, with over 20 flights delayed at Lahore Airport and train operations impacted. Authorities remain vigilant as they implement measures to mitigate the effects of the ongoing environmental challenge.
