The smog disaster in Punjab has worsened as poisonous air continues to unfold to different cities, following Lahore’s constant rating on the high of world’s most polluted cities.
At present (Friday), the air high quality index (AQI) in Lahore soared to 860 on IQAir’s real-time monitoring, inserting it among the many most polluted cities on the planet. It dropped to 569 by 1pm however remained within the hazardous vary.
In the meantime, Multan skilled the worst air high quality this morning, with an AQI reaching a dangerously excessive 1,635, posing extreme well being dangers.
In keeping with the Swiss air high quality monitoring service, an AQI above 300 is assessed as “hazardous” to well being.
As thick smog blanketed the southern metropolis, visibility was badly affected, leading to closure of M3 Motorway on the Rajana Interchange and M4 Motorway from Shorkot to Gojra.
Regardless of efforts to convey down the air pollution ranges, the smog-laden air has moved to different cities, with Multan being worst-hit after Lahore, adopted by Faisalabad, the place the AQI was recorded at 356, inflicting points like problem in respiratory amongst residents.
The environmental safety officers sealed a number of factories and mills contributing to the air air pollution throughout ongoing anti-smog operations in Faisalabad, whereas slapping fines and registering a case towards one of many manufacturing facility homeowners.
Furthermore, an eatery was additionally sealed and two people have been arrested for the violation of smog-prevention pointers.
Street closures
The M2 Motorway was closed for site visitors from Lahore to Sheikhupura, the M3 Motorway from Lahore to Jaranwala and Faizpur to Durkhana, Motorway M4 from Gojra to Abdul Hakeem.
The scenario was comparable in Bahawalpur, Muzaffargarh, Khanewal and surrounding areas as visibility dropped to extraordinarily low, inflicting site visitors disruptions.
A highway accident was additionally reported close to Hiran Minar, the place 5 autos collided with one another because of low visibility. At the least 5 folks have been injured, with three admitted at Sheikhupura District Headquarters Hospital in unstable situation.
Motorway police suggested the residents to keep away from touring unnecessarily and like driving through the day-time solely with headlights on.
LHC orders markets to shut by 8pm
In a associated growth, the Lahore Excessive Courtroom (LHC) ordered the closure of markets by 8pm and the entire suspension of commerce actions on Sunday within the provincial capital.
The directives got here through the listening to of miscellaneous pleas towards the absence of satisfactory measures to combat smog.
Furthermore, the court docket ordered all non-public workplaces to undertake do business from home (WFH) coverage for 2 days and directed authorities to crackdown towards smoke-producing autos. It additionally directed the Dolphin Police power to collectively work with Lahore Police on this regard.
Life in Punjab’s capital stays severely impacted by rising smog ranges, with air high quality hovering above the wholesome ranges.
The worsening air high quality within the province has led to extend in health-related points with the 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 folks reported eye infections in Lahore alone.
The division added that greater than 6,000 folks reported nostril, ear, and throat issues and medical consultants suggested folks in smog-affected areas to make use of extra water.
Moreover different steps to curb smog, the provincial authorities’s Environmental Safety Company has ordered an entire ban on public entry in all parks (private and non-private), zoos, playgrounds, historic locations, monuments, museums and pleasure/play lands efficient November 8 (right this moment),
A notification signed by the Dr Imran Hamid Sheikh, the director basic of the company, acknowledged that the order will stay in power until November 17 (Sunday) inside the territorial jurisdictions of Lahore, Gujranwala, Faisalabad and Multan Divisions.
Those that try and violate the orders shall be punished underneath part 188 of the Pakistan Penal Code.
Furthermore, the federal government has additionally ordered the speedy suspension of all actions in colleges throughout the province, days after asserting the closure of all colleges as much as the upper secondary stage in key divisions throughout the province because of hazardous smog ranges.
The actions which were banned embody parent-teacher conferences, college journeys, sports activities actions and every other college gatherings or on-campus occasions.
On Wednesday, the federal government directed colleges in Lahore, Gujranwala, Faisalabad, and Multan divisions to transition to on-line courses till 17 November, prioritising public well being amidst rising air pollution ranges.
Along with closing colleges, Punjab has launched a compulsory masks coverage for public areas. Private and non-private workplaces have been directed to undertake a 50% work-from-home coverage, and all authorities conferences are to be held on-line till additional discover.
The authorities have blamed the intensifying air pollution disaster in Punjab on neighbouring India, because the smog-laden air stress from New Delhi persists. The Indian capital has additionally retained its place because the second most polluted cities within the IQAir’s record.
Punjab Info Minister Azma Bukhari, whereas addressing a press convention this morning, mentioned that the Indian authorities can also be involved in regards to the rising smog ranges and it additionally must work in direction of its answer. She mentioned that the federal government will attain out to all stakeholders to combat off air pollution.
It might be famous that the Punjab authorities had introduced to take the matter with New Delhi by way of the Ministry of International Affairs.