LAHORE (Dunya News) - The air quality index (AQI) of the provincial capital Lahore remained alarmingly high early Thursday morning with DHA Phase 8 at 1,254 and average at 822.
The Swiss IQAir chart of the most polluted cities showed Lahore still at the top with 784 and Indian capital Delhi at a distant second with 433 around 9am. The situation improved by midday as the AQI of Lahore fell to 496.
However, accrding to the Department of Environment, the AQI of Shimla Hills and the US Consulate area has been recorded at 876. It has warned of a possibility of further increase in the rate of smog in the coming days.
Meanwhile, health experts have urged the people to take precautionary measures due to smog. They have advised people to wear masks when going out.
On Wednesday, Environment Director General Imran Hamid Sheikh issued a notification making wearing of masks mandatory in Lahore, Gujranwala, Faisalabad and Multan divisions.
Earlier, Senior Punjab Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb in a press conference announced closure of schools up to grade 12 and A level in the four divisions from Nov 7 to 17 due to heavy smog.