Lahore Chokes as Air Quality Reaches Dangerous Levels
The city of Lahore faced a severe air quality crisis on Sunday, recording an average Air Quality Index (AQI) of 181, with pollution levels surging to alarming heights above 450 during the early morning hours. This hazardous situation has raised significant health concerns among residents and authorities alike.
Pollution Data Reveals Alarming Situation
According to data from IQAir, Lahore's air quality remained consistently unhealthy throughout the day. The most concerning finding was the PM2.5 concentration level, which measured 19.6 times higher than the World Health Organization's annual air quality guideline. This microscopic particulate matter poses serious health risks as it can penetrate deep into lungs and bloodstream.
The most severely affected areas included AC Office Shalimar Complex, Wahga, Allama Iqbal Town, Barki, Bedian Road, several phases of DHA, AC Saddar/Cantt, Johar Town, Civil Secretariat, and Askari 10. Residents in these neighborhoods experienced the worst of the pollution crisis.
Weather Conditions and Future Outlook
The Meteorological Office has forecast dry weather conditions to persist over Lahore for the next 24 hours. Sunday brought dry and cold weather to the provincial capital, with similar conditions expected on Monday. Met officials have warned that temperatures in northern regions may drop further in the coming days as continental air continues to dominate most parts of the country.
Weather authorities predict mainly cold and dry conditions across the region, with very cold temperatures expected in northern areas, particularly during morning and night hours. The forecast also indicates that shallow to moderate smog or fog is likely to develop in patches over the plain areas of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa during morning and night time periods.
This combination of weather patterns and existing pollution levels creates challenging conditions for Lahore's residents, with health experts advising vulnerable groups to take necessary precautions when venturing outdoors.
