Toxic Smog Engulfs Punjab as AQI Hits Hazardous Levels

News Desk 

Lahore: The air quality in major cities across Punjab has plunged to alarming levels, with Lahore’s Air Quality Index (AQI) reaching a hazardous 312 points, placing the city among the most polluted in the world on Sunday.

According to environmental monitoring data, Faisalabad recorded an AQI of 540, followed by Gujranwala at 371, Multan at 364, and Bahawalpur at 250, indicating dangerously poor air quality across the province.

Meteorological officials attributed the worsening smog to low-speed northeastern winds blowing from agricultural areas of eastern Punjab and India’s Haryana region, where crop residue burning has intensified in recent days. These winds, moving at just 4 to 9 kilometers per hour, are preventing pollutants from dispersing and causing toxic particles to accumulate near the ground level.

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Experts warned that such stagnant conditions are likely to persist, keeping Lahore’s air quality between 230 and 280 AQI on average in the coming days.

In response to the deteriorating situation, the Punjab government has intensified anti-smog operations, with special squads active in Lahore, Sheikhupura, Kasur, and Gujranwala to monitor emissions and curb pollution sources.

Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb announced that all outdoor activities in educational institutions have been suspended as a precautionary measure to protect students from exposure.

Meanwhile, medical experts have urged citizens to wear masks, avoid outdoor exertion, and keep indoor air clean. They cautioned that prolonged exposure to such high pollution levels could lead to severe respiratory illnesses, cardiovascular problems, cancer, and even premature deaths.

Authorities have reiterated their commitment to enforcing environmental regulations and urged citizens to cooperate in controlling activities that contribute to smog formation.