Cold, dry weather traps pollutants, worsening Lahore’s air quality crisis
LAHORE: Lahore was once again ranked the most polluted city in the world on Tuesday as hazardous air quality levels were recorded across multiple areas, reinforcing concerns over the city’s worsening smog crisis.
AQI Reaches Hazardous Levels
According to global air monitoring platform IQAir, Lahore’s Air Quality Index (AQI) peaked at 364 at 6am, showed slight improvement by late morning, but rose again to 360 by noon, indicating persistent pollution throughout the day.
By evening, air quality deteriorated sharply. At 7pm, Allama Iqbal Town recorded an alarming AQI of 437, followed by CERP Office at 412, Barki Road at 338, DHA at 322, Barki at 318, and Bedian Road at 312, all falling within the severe to hazardous category.
Health Risks Intensify
Environmental experts warn that prolonged exposure to toxic air poses serious health risks, especially for children, the elderly, and people with respiratory or cardiac conditions. Hospitals continue to report an increase in patients suffering from breathing difficulties, eye irritation, and throat infections.
Authorities have urged residents to limit outdoor exposure, wear protective masks, and strictly follow health advisories.
Weather Conditions Worsen Smog
The Pakistan Meteorological Department has forecast cold and dry weather across most districts of Punjab, conditions that trap pollutants near the ground, allowing smog to persist.
Cold and dry weather is expected in Murree and the Galliyat, while partly cloudy and very cold conditions are forecast in Kashmir. Meanwhile, moderate to dense fog and smog are likely to continue over Lahore, Sialkot, Narowal, Sheikhupura, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Jhelum, Faisalabad, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, Bahawalnagar, Okara, Sahiwal, Multan, Dera Ghazi Khan, Kasur, Khanewal, Khanpur, Kot Addu, Bahawalpur, Rahim Yar Khan, Rajanpur, and surrounding areas.
Earlier Warnings Prove Accurate
Last week, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) had forecast heavy smog and fog across Punjab from December 12 to 16, urging citizens to take precautionary measures, warnings that now appear to have materialized with renewed severity.