The Punjab authorities has introduced the closure of all colleges as much as larger secondary degree in key divisions throughout the province resulting from smog disaster.
Addressing a press convention on the Chief Minister’s Home, Punjab’s senior minister Marriyum Aurangzeb confirmed that colleges in Lahore, Gujranwala, Faisalabad, and Multan divisions will transition to on-line lessons till November 17, prioritising public well being amidst rising air pollution ranges.
“Right this moment, the air high quality index (AQI) is 1,150. Yesterday, the air high quality index remained at 500, which may be very harmful,” Aurangzeb defined, urging mother and father to maintain youngsters indoors and shift to on-line education. She additionally emphasised that this shift shouldn’t be a vacation however a measure to mitigate publicity to harmful air pollution.
Lahore at the moment has the world’s highest AQI, with ranges persistently exceeding 1000 resulting from winds carrying air pollution from neighbouring India, Aurangzeb famous. This extended publicity has elevated hospital admissions for respiratory points, with Lahore and different cities like Multan, Kasur, Sheikhupura, and Gujranwala severely affected.
Along with closing colleges, Punjab has launched a compulsory masks coverage for public areas. Private and non-private places of work have been directed to undertake a 50% work-from-home coverage, and all authorities conferences are to be held on-line till additional discover.
Aurangzeb said that particular targets have been set for well being, agriculture, and environmental departments to fight air pollution. The lately established Smog Warfare Room displays air high quality information across the clock and coordinates efforts throughout departments.
“Our focus is well being,” she affirmed. “Secure Metropolis and Visitors Police will implement the sporting of masks, Aged individuals mustn’t go outdoors.”
The minister additionally highlighted the necessity for regional cooperation, stating that prevailing winds are carrying pollution from throughout the border, exacerbating Lahore’s smog. “We have to work along with India to successfully sort out this cross-border disaster,” Aurangzeb stated, noting that with out collaborative measures, hazardous smog will persist every winter.
The Punjab authorities on final week introduced to close down major colleges in Lahore for the week amid persistent hazardous degree of smog within the provincial capital.
A notification on this regard learn that colleges as much as fifth grade will stay closed from November 4 to 9 within the mild of smog state of affairs in Lahore. The order is relevant on each non-public and public instructional institutes.
The order said that the choice was taken for college kids who’re affected by cardiac, respiratory, and different ailments.
Knowledge from Swiss air high quality monitor IQAir confirmed that Lahore’s AQI, which measures a variety of pollution, was at “hazardous” 1,165 early morning yesterday.
In the meantime, the (PM2.5) pollution — the positive particulate matter within the air that causes probably the most harm to well being — reached 125.2 instances larger than the World Well being Organisation’s (WHO) annual air high quality guideline worth.
The AQI later dropped to 1,099, however nonetheless inside “hazardous” zone with fluctuating figures.
Town has been witnessing extreme smog for days and had witnessed the AQI exceeding the three-figure mark to face at 1,194 earlier within the week.
The worsening air high quality within the province has led to extend in health-related points with Punjab Well being Division confirming greater than 55,000 circumstances of eye infections within the province between October 21 and 27 whereas over 7,000 individuals reported eye infections in Lahore alone.
The division added that greater than 6,000 individuals reported nostril, ear, and throat issues and medical consultants suggested individuals in smog-affected areas to make use of extra water.
Town’s AQI additional plummeted to 751 — with the extent of particulate matter 90.3 instances larger than WHO pointers — by 10:46am, whereas Indian capital New Delhi held the second spot among the many cities having worst air high quality with an AQI of 364.
In a associated growth, the division additionally established a Smog Warfare Room at its headquarters the place focal individuals will transient the Punjab’s Environmental Safety Company (EPA) director basic and different officers involved each day relating to their steps to curb smog.
Moreover, the division additionally introduced “obligatory” leaves for these college students in Lahore’s particular training centres who contracted sickness resulting from polluted air from November 1 to January 31, 2025, amid smog disaster.
The order said that the choice was taken for college kids who’re affected by cardiac, respiratory, and different ailments.