PESHAWAR: Rain and hailstorms hit parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, offering some much-needed relief by reducing the intensity of smog across the province.
The hailstorm struck Swabi district around 10:30 PM, cooling the weather significantly.
The Malakand Division, including areas such as Swat, Buner, Chitral, and other regions, also experienced heavy hail and rain, leading to a noticeable drop in temperature.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) had earlier predicted rain and snowfall in various parts of the country, and the forecast proved accurate.
According to PMD, the upper districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including Chitral, Dir, Swat, Kohistan, Shangla, Buner, Mansehra, Battagram, Abbottabad, Haripur, Swabi, Malakand, Bajaur, Mardan, Mohmand, Khyber, Kurram, Peshawar, and Kohat, would experience cloudy weather with rain and thunderstorms. Snowfall was also expected in the higher mountainous areas.
Peshawar’s Air Quality Reaches Alarmingly High Levels
Earlier today, the air quality in Peshawar, the provincial capital, hit alarming levels. According to real-time data from IQAir, which monitors global air quality, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Peshawar surged to 551 at 10:30 AM, making it the third most polluted city in Pakistan at that time.
At the same time, the concentration of PM2.5—fine particulate matter that poses significant health risks—was recorded at 351 micrograms per cubic meter, more than 70 times higher than the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommended annual air quality guideline.
Pollution levels in various areas of the city reached hazardous levels, with the AQI at 784 in Yousufabad, 667 in Hayatabad, and 509 in Dalazak. The AQI was also recorded at 320 at GT Road and 332 at the US Consulate.
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To monitor the deteriorating air quality, five air quality monitoring stations have been set up throughout Peshawar.
While the rain and hailstorm brought temporary relief from the smog, the high pollution levels in Peshawar remain a significant concern for public health.
