Lahore smog season starts early: AQI hits 199 as low winds trap pollution and anti-smog squads target crop burning

Key takeaways

• Lahore recorded an overall Air Quality Index (AQI) of 199 on Tuesday morning, 13 October, according to readings cited by The Nation, which said this ranked the city the most polluted in the world at that time.
• Some areas were much worse: Gulberg (CERP office) 300, Kahna Nau 244 and Burki Road 224.
• Very low wind speeds of about 3–5 km/h are stopping pollution from spreading out.
• Lahore's divisional administration has ordered anti-smog squads in Lahore, Kasur, Nankana Sahib and Sheikhupura, with zero tolerance for burning rice crop residue.
• The Met Office forecasts possible rain on Tuesday and Wednesday, which could bring some relief.

Today's readings

Source: The Nation, citing air quality readings.

A day earlier, Punjab Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) data reported by The Express Tribune put the city's overall AQI at 126 at 10am on Monday, up from 74 at the same time on Sunday. Shahdara was the worst area on Monday at 209, followed by Multan Road (171) and GT Road (169).

Different monitors and times of day give different figures, but both sets of readings point the same way: air quality is getting worse before the main winter smog season.

Why the air is getting worse

The Express Tribune said winds of around 3 km/h were forecast for Monday afternoon. At such low speeds, smoke and dust from traffic, factories, brick kilns and waste burning build up close to the ground instead of spreading out.

The paper also noted that IQAir has previously put Lahore's yearly average PM2.5 (fine particle pollution) at 88.9 micrograms per cubic metre, about 17.8 times the World Health Organization's annual guideline.

What the authorities are doing

Crop burning crackdown. According to The Indus Compass, citing Dawn, Lahore Commissioner Nauman Yousuf told deputy commissioners from the four districts to fully activate anti-smog squads as the rice harvest begins. One FIR has been registered, six prosecutions started and fines of Rs90,000 imposed for burning crop residue. Traffic and environment squads are posted at Lahore's entry and exit points.

Kilns and factories. The Express Tribune reported that in 24 hours, environment teams across Punjab:

• inspected 85 brick kilns, demolishing four and sealing two;
• inspected 24 industrial units, sealing four and imposing Rs200,000 in fines;
• checked 17 barbecue and commercial cooking points, issued four smog notices and installed suction hoods at 13.

The Express Tribune also noted that vehicle exhaust, construction dust, industrial emissions and waste burning can keep adding to pollution even when kilns or factories are shut.

Weather outlook

The Nation reported that the Pakistan Meteorological Department expects possible rain in Lahore on Tuesday and Wednesday. Temperatures are forecast between about 22°C and 31°C.

Residents have been advised to be careful, especially in areas where pollution levels are much higher.

This article is for information only and is not medical advice. Follow official advisories and your doctor's guidance.

What to watch

• Whether the forecast rain arrives and brings AQI down.
• How strictly the crop-burning ban is enforced during the rice harvest.
• Any Punjab government smog advisories as winter approaches.