LAHORE: Lahore continues to make headlines due to extremely poor air quality as AQI in the city of gardens soared to 388 on Saturday, again putting it at the top of the world’s most polluted cities.
New Delhi, where AQI was recorded at 293, was second on the list.
The situation in other cities of Punjab, including Gujranwala, Faisalabad, Multan, was also extremely hazardous for human health. In Lahore, the AQI in and around Ravi Road was recorded at 820.
Similarly, it stood at 636 in and around AC Cantonment Office, 620 around the Civil Secretariat, 591 in Allama Iqbal Town, 581 at the Government College University (GCU), Lower Mall and surrounding areas and 498 in Gulberg-III.
The situation is also pathetic in South Punjab where extremely high level of pollution has led to the spread of chest and throat infections and skin diseases. In Lodhran, the AQI crossed the 400 mark, while, on the other hand, residents of the city are taking
the situation lightly as they don’t wear facemasks and take other precautionary measures.
Deputy Commissioner Lodhran Dr. Lubna Nazir has said that the district administration is crack downing on the individuals whose actions lead to smog.
“Action is being taken against the owners of vehicles which emit smoke and the farmers who burn crop residues despite ban. Qabula and its surrounding areas also remained engulfed in smog on Saturday as the AQI reached close to 200.
Doctors have advised people to wear facemasks and spectacles before stepping out of their homes in order to protect themselves from pollutants, which are leading to different diseases. People, on the other hand, have demanded a crackdown on the owners of brick kilns and factories. Karachi, with AQI 231, was ranked as the third most polluted city in the world.
The weather department said that the maximum temperature in the port city would go up to 36 degrees Celsius today. Light breeze was blowing in the city from the north-east, while the humidity level was recorded at 51 per cent.
