Lahore Grapples with Air Pollution as Temperature Drops to 20°C

Lahore, the city once known as a "city of gardens," has taken a hit in the rankings of the most polluted cities globally, with a startling Air Quality Index (AQI) of 270. This seismic shift in pollution levels has left locals grappling with environmental and health concerns.

According to recent reports, certain localities in Lahore have witnessed AQI levels exceeding 700, with Askari-10 topping the charts at 768, Johar Town at 618, Phase-8, DHA, at 488, and Shimla Paharri at 366. The situation mirrors the pronounced deterioration in air quality that Lahore has been witnessing over the past few years. Not surprisingly, the city's residents are reeling under the adverse effects of the deteriorating air quality, which includes exacerbation of chronic respiratory diseases like asthma, COPD, and other respiratory challenges linked to polluted air.

The week's forecast has further worsened the situation, with the Met Office predicting a spell of cold and dry weather for Lahore, capped by a maximum temperature of 20 degrees Celsius. As a result, the city's residents have been advised to adopt precautionary measures to ward off the plethora of health issues associated with respiratory diseases and cold temperatures. The situation is not confined to Lahore; the rest of the country is bracing for similar weather patterns, with some districts anticipating the possibility of rain and snow. The impending cold spell has also hit Pakistan-Afghanistan border regions hard, due to windy conditions emanating from Afghanistan.

As Lahore wakes up to the harsh realities of pollution, residents are urging government and local authorities to step up measures to improve and regulate air quality. Meanwhile, the bracing cold weather is pressing on residents to wear appropriate clothing, and maintenance of their health and wellness through nutrition and hydration. However, issues surrounding climate change and pollution management remain at the forefront, requiring collective efforts to ensure a pollution-free future."