Authorities have issued a smog alert for Lahore and several other cities in Punjab, warning residents of hazardous air conditions expected today (Tuesday).
The Smog Monitoring and Control Center has advised citizens to wear masks and limit outdoor exposure, as winds from India’s northern region are pushing polluted air toward Pakistan.
Lahore faces high smog risk
The Smog Monitoring and Control Center has urged residents of Lahore, Gujranwala, and Faisalabad to take precautionary measures on Tuesday. According to the advisory, citizens should wear protective masks, especially in the early morning and evening hours when pollution levels are highest.
Officials said the smog risk is rising due to winds blowing from east to west, carrying pollutants from Dharamshala, India, at a speed of 5km per hour toward Pakistan’s major urban centers.
New Delhi’s severe pollution raises alarm
The situation in neighbouring New Delhi has worsened dramatically, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) reaching a staggering 821, making it the most polluted city in the world.
Environmental experts warn that these toxic winds are now drifting westward, affecting air quality across the border in Lahore, Faisalabad, and Gujranwala. The pollutants primarily include fine particulate matter (PM2.5) that can cause severe respiratory and cardiovascular issues.
The smog threat is not limited to central Punjab. Authorities have also warned that Bahawalpur, Rahim Yar Khan, and Multan could experience reduced visibility and poor air quality due to the same weather pattern.
