ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) - The National Health Authority (NHA) on Tuesday issued an advisory to guide the general public against the increasing risks of deteriorating air quality due to rising smog trend projected due to prevailing weather conditions in the plains of Punjab and Pothohar region.
The NHA advisory mentioned that based on current conditions, stable weather in the plains of Punjab, coupled with emissions from vehicles and industries, residual rice crop burning, and an upcoming westerly system, air quality is expected to worsen in the plains of Punjab and in Potohar as well.
It added that according to the forecast, poor Air Quality Index (AQI) readings were expected during the coming week in central and south Punjab, with hazardous smog levels in the cities of Gujranwala, Multan, Lahore, Bahawalpur and Faisalabad including surrounding areas such as, Sargodha, DG Khan and Sahiwal divisions.
Meanwhile, the smog continued to blanket Punjab, including Lahore on Tuesday. Lahore ranked second in the world for air pollution, with the average AQI reaching 321. On Wagha Road the AQI was recorded at 410, in Gulberg 407, and in Johar Town 406.
Delhi remained at the top globally in terms of air pollution, with the Air Quality Index recorded at 326. Sialkot recorded an AQI of 405, while Peshawar’s AQI reached 364.