Weekend brings notable improvement in Lahore’s AQI index

LAHORE: There was a clear reduction recorded in the air pollution index in Lahore during the weekend holiday. The overall air quality index (AQI) for the provincial capital was recorded at 312.

Further breakdown of the city showed highest pollution levels in Gulberg at AQI of 501, followed by 483 in DHA Phase III, and 324 on Canal Road.

However, despite the decrease in AQI, Lahore continues to rank the second most polluted city in the world on Sunday.

HEALTH EMERGENCY

On Friday, Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb declared health emergency in Lahore and Multan due to the continuously worsening smog situation.

In Multan, the AQI was recorded at 208 points over the weekend.

In one month, nearly 150,000 people across Punjab have been brought to the hospitals due to smog related sickness, Aurangzeb informed, adding that 7,165 people were affected by smog in Lahore in one week.

Also read: Smog: health emergency declared in Lahore, Multan