UNS: Smog situation worsened in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as poisonous smoke made it difficult to breathe for people, especially in Lahore, which was the worst polluted city in the world on Tuesday.
Early morning, the Air Quality Index (AQI) of Lahore reached highly hazardous 968. However, the situation improved a bit around 10:30am as the Swiss IQAir measured the AQI of Lahore at 744.
The AQI of DHA area of the provincial capital was recorded at 1,236, Johar Town 991, Syed Maratab Ali Road 1,256, and Ghazi Road interchange 904.
The AQI of Multan reached 800 while Faisalabad’s recorded at 252 and Islamabad’s 253.
The provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Peshawar, had the AQI of 258.
Meanwhile, satellite images released by the US space agency NASA showed dense smog enveloping Lahore and Multan at the weekend. No roads and buildings could be seen due to smog.
The Meteorological Department, in the meantime, forecast arrival of westerly winds in the country from Nov 14. In case of clouds, artificial rain could be possible, it added.
Meanwhile, the decision to close shops, shopping malls and markets in Lahore, Multan, Faisalabad and Gujranwala at 8pm could not be implemented fully despite sealing of shops by the district administrations.
The government has also banned outdoor dining by restaurants, outdoor games, exhibitions and events from Nov 11 to 17.
In the latest development, the Punjab government has closed educational institutions in five more divisions.
The smog and poisonous smoke have compounded health problems in Lahore and elsewhere. According to health department figures, more than 35,000 patients visited five major hospitals in Lahore with smog-related problems.
The health officials reported that most of the children who visited hospitals complained of dry cough, difficulty in breathing, pneumonia and chest infection.
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has also issued a report that more than 11 million children under the age of five are among the Punjab population at risk due to highly polluted air.
Railway authorities stated that heavy smog in various cities caused disruptions in train schedules.
Meanwhile, passengers have reported that the Khyber Mail, which was supposed to reach Karachi Cantt Station at 10pm, arrived at 5am next morning. Passengers also complained that no one was available to provide updates on train timings.
