Lahore Smog Crisis: Unprecedented Pollution Levels Force Hospitalizations and School Closures
In a single day, Lahore, Pakistan’s most populous city, saw 900 individuals hospitalized as pollution levels hit unprecedented highs. This extreme situation led officials to shut down both primary and secondary schools, while healthcare providers reported numerous cases of eye irritation and persistent cough among residents.
In response, the provincial government in Punjab, where Lahore is situated, has created a specialized “smog war room” to manage the severe pollution crisis. At present, Lahore has become the world’s most polluted city, with an air quality index surpassing 1100, far beyond the hazardous limit of 300.
Every winter, pollution levels spike across South Asia as cold air traps particles from dust, vehicle emissions, and agricultural burning. Authorities are now warning that a citywide lockdown could be on the horizon.
They’re also considering generating artificial rain, a method successfully used to combat pollution in 2023. Additionally, plans are underway to host a regional climate summit in Lahore later this year to address these critical environmental issues.
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