The toxic smog in Pakistan is now can be seen from the space, satellite imagery from NASA’s worldview showed.
In the picture, a huge and thick cloud of gray smog over Pakistan’s Lahore and the Indian capital New Delhi is quite visible.
Images from the Pakistani cities of Lahore and Multan this weekend show the dark haze.
This comes days after some cities in Pakistan logged record-breaking Air Quality Index (AQI) crossing the 2000 figure. A reading above 300 is considered hazardous to a person’s health.
UNICEF warned that more than 11 million children under the age of 5 are exposed to smog in the worst-affected districts.
What is govt doing to combat smog in Pakistan?
The Punjab government is taking measures, but they are not enough to make a real impact.
Schools and some government offices had already been ordered to close until November 17, including in the provincial capital Lahore. On Friday, Punjab authorities shuttered all parks, playgrounds, museums, zoos and historical sites in 18 districts for 10 days.
New restrictions extended the ban to all outdoor activities including outdoor sports events, exhibitions, festivals, and outdoor dining at restaurants in Punjab. Markets, shops and malls are to close by 8pm local time.
Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency has also ordered to install air purifiers across all districts of Punjab due to the toxic smog.
Apart from this, the government is considering to test artificial rain to Rawalpindi.
How can you stay safe from smog?
1- Limit going out
2- Drink extra water
3- Use air purifies in your homes
4- Wear N95 masks
5- When indoors, close windows and other inlets of air
6- Reduce your contribution to pollution by avoiding driving and smokin
Every winter, smog in Lahore gets intense mainly due to crop burning but the problem is getting worse with each passing year.
Note: If anyone wants to report any kind of smoke emission they can call to 1373.
