2024-11-09 12:08 PM IST
As winter approaches, Lahore, Pakistan, has become the world’s most polluted city, with its AQI soaring to 1,067 on Nov 2, and 553 on Nov 9, categorized as ‘hazardous.’ The severe pollution, largely attributed to kiln emissions and crop burning, has prompted the government to close schools and enforce work-from-home mandates to safeguard public health. Efforts to mitigate the crisis include the introduction of eco-friendly kiln technologies and the establishment of a ‘Smog War Room’ in Punjab, where an eight-department committee coordinates response measures. Environmental experts emphasize the need for robust data to ensure sustainable solutions. The winter season, with its colder temperatures, exacerbates smog in South Asia, making air pollution a persistent health threat in the region. Immediate actions and long-term strategies are crucial to improving air quality and protecting public health.