Lahore, once known as the city of gardens for its lush greenery has transformed into a city veiled in haze as toxic gray smog blankets the provincial capital.
The concentration of PM 2.5, or tiny particulate matter, in the air reached 450, on November 9, forcing authorities to shut schools, markets and parks for four days, officials said November 9.
Doctor Salman Kazmi of Lahore’s Mayo Hospital advised residents to seek shelter from the smog, warning it could cause breathing difficulties or infections. He also urged residents to wear face masks if they must go outside
“Wearing of masks and staying at home are the two easiest solutions to avoid getting rushed to hospitals with respiratory-related diseases, infections in eyes and skin diseases,” said Kazmi.
Experts say the burning of crop residue at the start of the winter wheat-planting season is a key cause of the pollution. The surge in population, currently standing at 242 million people, coupled with rapid urbanization, is also seen as the key factor contributing to the escalating pollution levels, according to environmental experts.
Smog forces 4-day closure in Lahore
Earlier, Caretaker Punjab Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Tuesday announced a four-day holiday in the smog-hit districts of the province. The holidays will be from Thursday (Iqbal Day) through Sunday, he said.
“Today, we will notify business holiday for offices and schools on November 10 in Lahore division, Gujranwala, Wazirabad, Kasur, Nankana Sahib districts, and Hafizabad while November 9 has already been declared a public holiday,” CM Naqvi said in a press conference.
Restaurants and cinemas along with all kinds of parks will remain closed three days of the week, from Friday till Sunday, he added. However, bakeries, pharmacies, and marriage lawns will remain open.
Smog cutting life expectancy in Lahore
The noxious fog is cutting the average annual age of Lahore’s residents by six to seven years, according to a research publication by the University of Chicago. The study highlighted a concerning trend of decreasing average life expectancy in the city, decreasing by seven years annually. The report also underscores the alarming equivalence of current pollution levels to the harmful effects of smoking 30 cigarettes a day for children.
IQ Air has recorded alarming Air Quality Index (AQI) readings for various cities of Punjab, with Lahore registering an astonishing 374, Multan at a worrisome 442, and unhealthy AQI levels reported in Pindi Bhattian and Rawalpindi.
Sensitive groups are categorized based on Air Quality Index (AQI) readings: 101 to 150 as unhealthy, 151 to 200 as unhealthy, 201 to 300 as very unhealthy, and 301 to 500 as dangerous.