LAHORE, November 22, 2024: Smog levels in Lahore have worsened once again, just a day after a temporary improvement, as the city ranked as the world’s most polluted.
On Friday morning, Lahore’s Air Quality Index (AQI) spiked to a hazardous 502, according to the Swiss group IQAir, after it had dropped to a still unhealthy 184 the previous day. By 9:30 PM, the AQI had slightly decreased to 485, but remained well above the 300-mark, which is classified as hazardous.
The level of PM2.5 particles was more than 63 times higher than what the World Health Organization (WHO) considers safe for human health.
This rise in pollution has once again put Lahore at the top of the global pollution rankings, overtaking India’s New Delhi, which dropped to second place.
Multan, another city in Pakistan, also recorded a “hazardous” AQI of 354, making it the second most polluted city in the country.
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The resurgence of pollution comes after the Punjab government lifted some restrictions on outdoor activities just the day before, citing an improvement in air quality.
Earlier this week, the government had imposed strict measures, including school closures, restrictions on public parks, zoos, playgrounds, and even bans on open-air cooking at restaurants and construction sites, as the thickening smog reached hazardous levels.
The smog in Lahore is primarily caused by a combination of emissions from vehicles and factories, along with the burning of crops in neighboring India.
This toxic mix is trapped in the city due to cooler temperatures and slow-moving winds. Every winter, these conditions lead to a blanket of low-grade fuel emissions, making the city one of the most polluted in the world.
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The health risks associated with such high levels of air pollution are severe. WHO warns that prolonged exposure to toxic air can lead to strokes, heart disease, lung cancer, and respiratory diseases.
With over half of Pakistan’s population residing in Punjab, home to 240 million people, the ongoing air quality crisis remains a major public health challenge.
Senior officials have described the smog as a “national disaster,” emphasizing the urgency of addressing the issue.