Punjab Environment Protection Department (EPD) issued a smog alert on October 27 after Lahore’s air quality index (AQI) soared to an alarming 707, marking it as the most polluted city globally.
In response, the provincial government revised school timings along with other preventive measures.
As per the report, Lahore’s AQI readings fluctuated but remained dangerously high throughout the day. The peak, observed between 7 and 8 a.m., cast a thick blanket of smog over the city, severely reducing visibility and raising significant health concerns.
After hitting the peak, the AQI decreased to 537 at 10 a.m., then to 350 at 11 a.m., finally reaching 348 by 10 p.m., with the city still holding the highest AQI worldwide.
In comparison, New Delhi, another smog-hit city, registered an AQI of 294, with its highest reading at 499. Lahore’s PM2.5 levels stood at 249 µg/m³, exceeding the World Health Organization’s annual air quality guideline by nearly 50 times.
Primary causes of smog in Lahore
The smog in Lahore is largely attributed to crop stubble burning, industrial emissions, and vehicle exhaust. According to the EPD alert, polluted air from nearby regions, including Amritsar, New Delhi, and Chandigarh, continues to drift into Lahore due to winds traveling at a speed of 7 km per hour.
Measures to tackle with the crisis
Punjab’s Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb announced immediate enforcement measures to address the crisis.
Starting October 28 and lasting until January 31, 2025, schools will open at 8:45 a.m., with assemblies held indoors. The traffic police advised motorcycle riders to exercise caution due to the reduced visibility of about one kilometer in some areas.
The EPD cautioned residents to wear masks outdoors, limit physical activity, and avoid travel to areas with dense smog.
Four industrial units in Lahore, previously cited for neglecting emission control systems, were demolished, while the transport department inspected 941 vehicles, imposing fines on 234 smoke-emitting vehicles and impounding 72.
The cumulative fines totaled Rs503,000. Additional action was taken in other cities, with six kilns in Layyah, one in Sheikhupura, and four in Rawalpindi shut down for not adopting the environmentally safer zigzag technology.
Minister Aurangzeb urged citizens to report smog-causing activities by calling 1373, underscoring that the anti-smog efforts are designed to yield long-term benefits.
“The action being taken today will make a difference in the next 8 to 10 years,” she stated, calling for public cooperation to help protect residents’ health and combat pollution effectively.
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