Despite a brief drizzle in parts of Lahore, including Gulberg, Ferozepur Road, Canal Road, Thokar Niaz Baig, and Johar Town, the relief has been minimal. The Meteorological Department predicts a maximum temperature of 24°C and a minimum of 14°C for the city.
Easterly winds carrying pollutants into Pakistan are compounding the smog, further exacerbating the already dire air quality. Environmental experts and medical professionals have urged residents to avoid unnecessary outdoor activities and make the use of masks mandatory to reduce health risks.
Lahore's air quality continues to deteriorate, with the current overall Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded at a hazardous 404, according to the International Air Monitor.
Environmental experts report that the concentration of harmful chemical substances in the air is 55 times higher than the World Health Organization's recommended safe levels.
The highest AQI readings have been observed in areas like Gulberg (529), FC College (495), Valencia Town (483), and Defense Phase 5 (465). Other severely affected areas include Garden Town (433), Wapda Town (412), Ferozepur Road (412), and Shimla Pahari (404). Johar Town and Township have slightly lower, but still unhealthy, readings of 372.
The alarming smog levels have sparked growing concern over the city’s environmental policies, as residents grapple with health risks and limited visibility caused by the pollution. Immediate measures to address air quality are imperative to safeguard public health.
