LAHORE: Thick smog and worsening air pollution have once again pushed Lahore to the top of the list of the world’s most polluted cities, with the city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded at 451. India’s capital, New Delhi, ranked second with an AQI reading of 230.
According to global air quality monitoring data, pollution levels in Lahore remain alarmingly high. The city’s AQI had previously surged to 501 at 1:00 a.m. on November 11, reaching the hazardous category.
Health experts have urged residents, particularly children, older adults and people suffering from respiratory illnesses, to take extra precautions against the harmful effects of polluted air.
Meanwhile, air pollution has also worsened in several parts of India’s Punjab following Diwali celebrations. According to Indian media reports, widespread fireworks were set off on Diwali night despite restrictions.
Following the celebrations, the AQI in Mandi Gobindgarh climbed to 445, while pollution levels also remained alarmingly high in Amritsar, Ludhiana, Jalandhar and New Delhi.
Experts attribute the worsening smog across the region to a combination of firework emissions, crop residue burning and stagnant air conditions, which have contributed to the accumulation of pollutants in the atmosphere.
