3 Ways Lahore Smog Is Causing Devastation & It’s Time The Government Takes It Seriously!

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Lahore air quality, lahore smog
Image Source: Pakistan Today

The Air Quality Index (AQI) of Lahore is getting worse with every passing day as smog continues to wreak havoc in the city.

According to AQI scale, any reading above 300 is categorized as hazardous and Lahore has crossed the 500 mark.

Needless to say, this is having devastating effects for those who are breathing in excessive pollutants. According to a Pakistan Today news report, the AQI in Punjab Assembly area was 731, Upper Mall – 647 and DHA Phase 5- 401 on Wednesday evening.

The primary causes of smog in Lahore are car fumes, industrial emissions, and burning of crop and garbage – things that are a daily routine in the city.

The Punjab government is taking action against crop burning but it looks like the city has a long way to go before the damage that has already been caused begins to revere.

1. Difficulty breathing even in the homes!

The citizens of Lahore have reported that they cannot even breathe properly inside their own homes even with the windows closed and purifiers working overtime.

https://twitter.com/Yallaaaaaaa/status/1192117075877064705

2. Severe congestion & burning eyes

Lahoris reported to having severe congestion even while taking proper measures to reduce the impact.

https://twitter.com/HanMainBaghiHun/status/1192286002674569216

Read: Lahore’s Air Quality Index Has Pakistanis Enraged!

Schools closed & learning loss

After Lahore’s air became un-breathable on Wednesday evening, Punjab Government decided to close the educational institutes.

However, it goes without saying that closing schools for a day will not solve the problem.

Schools might remain closed for an entire week if not more, clearly having an adverse impact on student’s learning process.

The government is not really paying heed to this climatic disaster with Fawad Chaudhry blaming it on India and Minister for Climate Change, Zartaj Gul saying the AQI is under predefined limits of safety.

The government is yet to provide any strategy and we do not know what level of devastation will it take for the ruling class to understand that Lahore is headed towards a climatic calamity.