Smog continues to linger in Lahore, disrupting daily life as the city remains at the top of the AQI rankings

Toxic air present in the atmosphere of the city makes it difficult for residents to breathe, making them vulnerable to respiratory diseases

• On Thursday morning, the Air Quality Index of Lahore touched 800 levels.

• Residents are recommended to use masks when going outside, as per doctors.

• A university ordered to do online classes.

LAHORE: Due to rising levels of smog, the city has come under increasing pressure, with air quality dropping to critical levels for the past few weeks. Furthermore, on the morning of Thursday, Lahore was positioned atop the Air Quality Index for exceeding 800 levels, and this trend continued throughout the morning, eventually sinking down to 784 according to Swiss Air Quality monitoring system IQAir. Despite constant winds bringing in pollution from India, Lahore has been among the top-most polluted cities in the world as its air quality index has continued to exceed a level of 1,000. Senior minister of Punjab, Marriyam Aurangzeb, claimed that the situation had remained the same for the last couple of weeks, which has resulted in severe health implications. Multiple patients with respiratory issues have filled up hospitals situated in Lahore, where the situation has worsened along with other major Delhi regions like Multan, Kasur, and Gujranwala. Due to the severe weather conditions, people have found it difficult to cope with their daily routine as they have become more prone to catching respiratory diseases. Residents of Lahore have been advised by practitioners to start wearing masks when they step outside. By a notice, the government also closed all private and government education institutions using up to higher secondary education within the city and other districts of Punjab till November 17th. In turn, the pupils were shown an adobe on distance education. All pupils were also requested to sit back at home by today’s update, which was given on social media. All the educational institutes, including universities and colleges, will shift to online education,” the notice revealed. The notice was given the day after US Marshal Aurangzeb made the announcement in a press conference on MS Bhatti of the Chief Minister’s House. She informed that pupils studying in schools situated in Lahore, Gujranwala, Faisalabad, and Multan divisions will learn via e-learning methods until November 17 in consideration of timely care of health issues that emerge due to the high level of pollution. "Today, the amount of toxic particles in the air is at 1150 mg per liter in three hours off the meeting. On the previous day it was at 500 mg per liter, which put people in compromise,” Aurangzeb elaborated while pleading with patrons to prevent their ins from venturing outside during the period, and as such, the time was set aside for e-learning. She went off to explain that there was no holiday for big moves, but a strategy to reduce poisonous elements offered in the air. Also, Punjab has also made it obligatory for people to wear masks in public areas, along with the suspension of schools. Public and private organizations have been instructed to let their employees work from home by 50%. All meetings at the governments will also be conducted on the internet until otherwise stated. Aurangzeb said that pollution control measures will be first identified for health, agriculture, and environmental affairs. The newly formed Smog War Room helps track air quality parameters throughout the day and facilitates interdepartmental activities