https://arab.news/jvp5u
- Lahore, a city of around 14 million people, has been shrouded by toxic haze for days
- Authorities warn weather conditions may lead to rise in smog levels in coming days
ISLAMABAD: Pakistani cities of Lahore and Karachi ranked among the world’s most polluted city on Saturday morning, according to Swiss monitoring group IQAir, as dense smog blanketed the capital of the Punjab province and surrounding areas.
Lahore ranked the second most polluted city in the world with an air quality index of (AQI) of 191, categorized as unhealthy, at around 2:30pm on Saturday. Karachi, in the country’s south, ranked 11 worldwide, with an AQI of 119.
The development comes a day after the Punjab Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) warned of a rise in smog levels in major cities in the coming days, citing stable and dry weather conditions.
“The rise in smog levels may trigger an increase in respiratory illnesses, asthma cases, and other pollution-related health problems,” the authority said.
“Vulnerable populations, including children, the elderly, and people with pre-existing health conditions, are at high risk.”
Calm wind pattern, lower temperatures and humidity may prevent pollutants from dispersing and causing thick layers of smog in Lahore, Gujranwala, Sheikhupura, Kasur, Nankana Sahib, Faisalabad, Multan, Bahawalpur, Rahim Yar Khan, Bahawalnagar and Khanpur districts, according to the PDMA.
Lahore, a city of around 14 million people and the capital of Pakistan’s most populous Punjab province, has been shrouded by toxic haze for days, with authorities using anti-smog guns for the first time in an effort to reduce airborne pollutants.
Cold, heavy air traps pollutants, including vehicle emissions, industrial smoke and dust, from November to mid-December. The seasonal crisis is often exacerbated by crop residue burning and lasts until February.