Emergency Smog Alert Issued as Lahore Air Quality Plummets

News Desk 

Lahore: The Punjab government has declared an emergency smog alert in Lahore as winds have carried thick smog from Indian cities, leading to dangerously high air pollution levels.

According to a private news channel, the alert was issued on Monday, urging residents to wear facemasks and keep doors and windows closed to mitigate exposure.

A senior provincial minister cautioned individuals with heart conditions or respiratory issues to avoid outdoor areas. The alert follows the arrival of smog from Delhi, Amritsar, and Chandigarh, exacerbating the already severe air quality crisis in Lahore.

On Sunday, the air quality index (AQI) plummeted to 191 from a staggering 800 after wind patterns changed. However, on Monday, Lahore was reported as the most polluted city globally, with an AQI of 707.

Residents are advised to take protective measures, including wearing masks outdoors, preventing children from playing outside, and avoiding travel to heavily polluted regions.

Experts have also recommended cautious driving due to reduced visibility, particularly in the early morning and late evening hours.

Medical professionals are urging residents to be vigilant against flu, skin allergies, eye irritation, and other health issues related to the pollution.

Environmental specialists have pointed to the use of low-quality fuels, such as plastic and rubber, especially in the cottage industries around Bund Road, as significant contributors to the city’s declining air quality.