Smog crisis : Peshawar named among world’s most-polluted city

ISLAMABAD: As smog continues to cast a hazardous shroud over various parts of the country, Peshawar has taken an alarming lead in global pollution rankings.

On Wednesday, the air quality index (AQI) in Peshawar soared to 324, earning the city the dubious distinction of being the world’s most-polluted metropolis.

Not far behind, Lahore follows as the second most-polluted city globally, with an AQI of 269. In certain areas surrounding the capital of Punjab, the AQI even spiked to an alarming 400 at one point, emphasizing the severity of the air quality crisis.

The Pakistan Engineering Services area bore the brunt of the smog, recording a staggering AQI of 403, closely trailed by Brevzon at 397. The Mall,registered an AQI of 388, while the US consulate in Lahore reported a reading of 355.

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While the smog crisis intensifies, Lahore is also grappling with a drop in temperature, with the minimum recorded at 10 degrees Celsius. The day is expected to warm up to 24 degrees Celsius, accompanied by a gentle breeze at five kilometers per hour. The humidity level in the air stands at a significant 77 percent, further complicating the environmental challenges faced by the city.

As citizens contend with the hazardous air quality and changing weather conditions, urgent measures are warranted to address the escalating smog crisis in Peshawar and Lahore, drawing attention to the critical need for environmental interventions and public awareness campaigns.