Punjab issues alert as another spell of smog set to hit Lahore

Lahore: The Punjab Environment Protection and Climate Change Department has issued a fresh alert regarding a new wave of smog expected to envelop Lahore within the next 24 hours. Citizens are urged to take precautionary measures as the Air Quality Index (AQI) is projected to deteriorate significantly.

According to department officials, the smog is attributed to Indian winds blowing at speeds of 4 to 8 kilometers per hour towards Lahore. The AQI has already reached alarming levels, with the city ranking as the second most polluted globally on Monday, recording an AQI of 382. Just a day earlier, figures spiked to an unprecedented 1,194, far exceeding the “dangerous” threshold of 300, as reported by IQAir, the Swiss air quality monitoring organization.

In response to the escalating pollution, the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) has established a Smog War Room at its headquarters. Daily briefings will be conducted to update the EPA director general and other relevant officials on ongoing efforts to combat smog.

Additionally, the EPA has mandated that students in Lahore’s special education centers suffering from respiratory or cardiac issues be granted leave from November 1 to January 31, 2025, in light of the hazardous air quality.

To mitigate the smog crisis, authorities have implemented several emergency measures, including a one-week closure of primary schools and the recommendation for remote work. Citizens are advised to keep children indoors, wear masks when necessary, and avoid travel. A ban on three-wheeled rickshaws and construction activities in certain areas has also been enacted, with strict penalties for non-compliance.