The Punjab Surroundings Safety Division on Sunday issued a smog alert because the province offers with rising ranges of air pollution, with Lahore topping the record of world’s most polluted cities’ record as soon as once more whereas colder temperatures take maintain.
The typical air high quality index (AQI) of the provincial capital dropped abnormally in 24-hours, and was recorded at 700 this morning (Sunday), as per Swiss air high quality expertise firm, IQAir.
In response to the air high quality classification by IQAir, the ambiance turns into “hazardous” to well being after the AQI crosses the 300 mark.
An AQI of 0-5 is taken into account “good”, 51-100 is taken into account “reasonable”, 101-150 is “unhealthy for delicate teams”, 151-200 is solely “unhealthy”, 201 – 300 is “very unhealthy”, whereas greater than 301 levels signifies “hazardous”.
Because of the alarming decline in Lahore’s AQI, town has continued to rank on the high of the world’s most polluted cities with a dangerously low visibility, which additionally signifies the worsening smog situations within the metropolis.
As winter approaches, Lahore is especially susceptible to smog, exaverbated by winds transporting polluted air from neighbouring areas, together with Amritsar, New Delhi, Chandigarh at a pace of seven kilometres per hour.
In mild of the present state of affairs, the authorities, through the alert, additionally urged residents to take precautions.
Within the alert, authorities reminded residents to verify the AQI earlier than exercising or strolling outdoor, use a masks earlier than going to open place, maintain kids from taking part in outdoor, and avoiding touring to closely smoggy areas.
In the meantime, the Lahore site visitors police warned the residents to watch out whereas driving bikes because the visibility within the metropolis diminished to at least one kilometer.
Moreover, environmentalists highlighted that the air of Lahore is “very harmful” for the residents, calling for an environmental emergency to be enforced within the metropolis.
They stated that residents should put on masks and keep away from stepping out of houses unnecessarily. Moreover, medical consultants additionally warned residents of the unfold of nostril, eye and throat illnesses because of hazardous air high quality ranges.
Smog is especially dangerous in winter because of low-grade gas from factories and automobiles within the low-lying megacity of 14mn, the place denser chilly air traps emissions at floor degree.
Seasonal crop burn-off by farmers on the outskirts of the provincial capital can also be a serious contributing issue.
Lahore and New Delhi are principally essentially the most polluted cities. At the moment, the latter retained its place because the second most polluted metropolis on the dimensions, with an AQI of 270.
In the meantime, the third most polluted metropolis on this planet immediately is Cairo, the capital of Egypt, the place the AQI was 159. Right here, the air high quality is “unhealthy” for the residents.
Megacity Karachi ranked fourth within the record this morning as its AQI reached 162.
Dangerous air high quality is a serious menace to the well being as residents within the polluted cities develop a number of medical points, particularly respiratory issues.
In response to a report printed final yr which flagged the rising burden of hazardous air on well being, rising air air pollution can reduce life expectancy by greater than 5 years per particular person in South Asia, one of many world’s most polluted areas.
The Punjab authorities rush to sort out the worsening smog disaster with all preparations made to deal hazardous ranges of air pollution.
The province banned outside college actions in Lahore would finish from Monday. A Punjab College Schooling Division spokesperson stated that the ban would final for 3 months till January 31.
College timings have additionally been modified to eight:45am, taking impact from October 28 until January 31, 2025. The varsity administrations have been directed to organise college students’ assemblies indoors.
Furthermore, actions like fireworks have been banned until January, 31, 2025.