Lahore ranks atop most polluted cities again as smog worsens

LAHORE: The plight of heavy smog continues in Lahore, with the Air Quality Index reaching 732 on Sunday. Lahore is, once again, ranked first among the list of most polluted cities in the world.

Going area by area, the AQI index showed air pollution quality at 1917 in Lahore DHA Phase 8, 1515 in Gulberg, 1264 in Marat Ali Road and 1257 in Askari 10.

According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), there is no chance of rain in the next few days which means that there is a possibility of smog’s intensity to stay or even worsen. No significant wind is reported for the provincial capital either.

Lahore’s air quality plummets to hazardous levels as AQI surpasses 1,000

Lahore is not the only big city in the grip of smog. The air quality level has deteriorated to an alarming level in Punjab’s Multan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Peshawar. Citizens across these cities as well as nearby regions are complaining of breathing problems and eye irritation.

Medical experts have instructed citizens to wear masks and avoid leaving their homes. Increased intake of water, coupled with frequently washing hands, face and other exposed areas of the skin are also advised.