Air pollution in Lahore
 | This article needs to be updated. The reason given is: new highest AQI. (November 2024) |
| Date | Recurring |
|---|---|
| Location | Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan |
| Type | Environmental issue |
| Air pollution outbreak in November 2021 recorded the highest AQI of 680 in Kot Lakhpat area of Lahore. Special squads have been formed to fight smog. | |
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Air pollution in Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan is a recurring issue.[1][2]
Causes
[edit]Causes may include agricultural burning, vehicle emissions, and factory emissions.[3] In November 2024, certain high-smog devices were temporarily banned, including unfiltered barbeques at restaurants and auto rickshaws.[3] Pakistan has blamed India for air pollution, however Pakistani citizens do not agree.[4]
Outbreaks
[edit]November 2017
[edit]In November 2017 flights were cancelled because of air pollution.[5]
January 2019
[edit]In January 2019 a smog wave prompted measures to reduce air pollution going forward.[6]
April 2020
[edit]In April 2020 there was an outbreak of air pollution following the end of a COVID-19 lockdown in Pakistan.[2]
November 2021
[edit]An outbreak of smog in November 2021 has made it difficult for citizens to breathe and colds, flu are common. While according to the latest statistics, Lahore is in the top contenders in terms of air pollution.[7][8][9] The highest 680 AQI was recorded in Kot Lakhpat area of Lahore.[10]
5 special squads have been formed to fight smog, Metropolitan Corporation Lahore, Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa), police, district administration and Lahore Electric Supply Company (Lesco)[11][12] Lahore jumped more than 10 places to become the city with the worst air in the world in 2021, according to an annual global survey by a Swiss maker of air purifiers.
November 2023
[edit]In November 2023, smog in Lahore hovered around the 400 AQI. The smog sickened tens of thousands of people. The Punjab provincial government ordered schools, offices, malls, and parks in three cities, including Lahore, to be closed. Medical facilities, grocery stores and gas stations remained open. Authorities advised residents to wear masks if they must go outside.[13][14]
November 2024
[edit]In November 2024, on Saturday morning, smog in Lahore skyrocketed to precisely 1067 AQI, generally in Lahore with 1902 AQI index in some parts of Mall Road and Samanabad. The smog sickened tens of thousands of people, however no official death toll was announced. The Punjab provincial government ordered schools, offices, malls, and parks in three cities, including Lahore, to be closed, or either to be in operation under the SOP's required. Medical facilities, grocery stores, and gas stations remained open. Authorities advised residents to wear masks if they must go outside.[15][16][17][18][19][20]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Zahra-Malik, Mehreen (10 November 2017). "In Lahore, Pakistan, Smog Has Become a 'Fifth Season'". The New York Times. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
- ^ a b "Pakistan's Lahore sees peak pollution as coronavirus surges". AP NEWS. 20 April 2021. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
- ^ a b "Photos: Pakistan's record smog affects children, forces people home". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2024-11-11.
- ^ Abi-Habib, Maria; Masood, Salman (22 November 2019). "Pakistan Blames India for Its Air Pollution. Its Citizens Disagree". The New York Times. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
- ^ "All you need to know about air pollution in New Delhi". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
- ^ "As Lahore chokes on winter smog, Pakistan moves to cut air pollution". Reuters. 7 January 2019. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
- ^ "Lahore Air Quality Index (AQI) and Pakistan Air Pollution | AirVisual".
- ^ "Pakistan: 'Find a solution,' say Lahore residents choking in smog". www.aljazeera.com.
- ^ "Hazy Lahore declared most polluted city in the world". 2 November 2021.
- ^ "Lahore world's most polluted city". 30 October 2021.
- ^ "Smog squads". 18 November 2021.
- ^ "Buzdar reviews anti-smog measures".
- ^ "Toxic smog chokes Pakistan and shuts cities". BBC News. 2023-11-10. Retrieved 2023-11-10.
- ^ Toxic heavy smog in eastern Pakistan makes tens of thousands sick
- ^ "AQI above 1,000, Lahore is the world's most polluted city".
- ^ "Lahore residents forced to breathe highly toxic air as AQI surpasses 1,000 again".
- ^ "Lahore's AQI touches unprecedented level".
- ^ "Lahore suffers record-breaking smog as AQI exceeds 1000".
- ^ "Air pollution levels in Lahore rise 40 times above WHO limit".
- ^ "Pakistan shuts primary schools for a week in Lahore due to dangerous air quality". The Washington Post.