Lahore is still the world's most polluted city, and in this regard, the air quality index reached 708 in night, forcing the provincial government to issue guidelines from the medical experts that told people to stay indoors and go outdoors only if masks are used.
According to local reports, on Monday evening 11 pm, the concentration of the AQI and PM 2.5 was recorded at 431µg/m³ while having a 708 level respectively, and it is approximately 86.2 times the WHO annual air quality guideline value.
The least AQI in the metropolis during Monday was between 4-5 pm, at 246.
Pakistan's leading daily Dawn reported Tuesday, "The AQI at CERP office in Gulberg was shocking 953, followed by 810 at Pakistan Engineering Services Ltd and 784 at Syed Maratab Ali Road.
The smog has further been afflicting the proximate cities of Kasur, Sheikhupura, Muridke and Gujranwala where experts assess that the whole strip may find itself in the grip of emergency if rains do not make their way within the next couple of days with prospects being well below fifty per cent chances.
The provincial government of Punjab, Pakistan, has announced an emergency alert to people of Lahore by its Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, while urging the people to wear masks and simultaneously to close all the windows and doors of the house.
The local administration also changed the time for schools while asking the parents and management of educational institutes to take all the safety measures for the well-being and comfort of students.
Authorities have instructed to clump immediately the vehicle emitting smoke and brick kilns sans zigzag technology would be demolished.
"People suffering from lung, respiratory and heart diseases and the elderly should not go outdoors. The cooperation of all of us can play the most important role in solving this problem. Maryam Aurangzeb appeals to the people to check their vehicles, avoid traffic jams and not to burn crop residue," Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb posted on X.
The minister also tried to pass on the buck to India, claiming that prevailing wind leads smog in Delhi, Amritsar, Chandigarh into Lahore.
It is interesting that the AQI in Amritsar, a little over 50 kms from Lahore, was recorded at 189 on Monday.
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