Note: The AQI (Air Quality Index) levels are updated every hour.
The smog season has begun in Pakistan and the air quality greatly affects the cities of Punjab, especially Lahore and Rawalpindi. It is wise to be aware of the AQI standards in your city so that you do any activities where the pollution is not high.
Here is the AQI of major cities in Pakistan, including Lahore, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Karachi, and Peshawar, on Wednesday, November 13, 2024.
Last updated: 12:30pm
Current AQI Levels by City
| City | Current AQI | AQI PM2.5 Concentration | AQI Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lahore | 415 | 282.8µg/m³ | Hazardous |
| Islamabad | 198 | 122.7µg/m³ | Unhealthy |
| Rawalpindi | 219 | 144µg/m³ | Very Unhealthy |
| Karachi | 134 | 23µg/m³ | Moderate |
| Peshawar | 234 | 159µg/m³ | Very Unhealthy |
AQI Levels: Highest Today, Forecast for Tomorrow, and Yesterday
| City | Highest AQI Today | AQI Tomorrow Forecast | AQI Yesterday |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lahore | 788 | 175 (Unhealthy) | 669 (Hazardous) |
| Islamabad | 242 | 109 Unhealthy for sensitive groups | 264 (Unhealthy) |
| Rawalpindi | 227 | 114 (Unhealthy) | 215 ( Very Unhealthy) |
| Karachi | 88 | 83 (Moderate) | 81 (Moderate) |
| Peshawar | 594 | 92 (Moderate)) | 228 (Very Unhealthy) |
AQI Categories
| AQI Category | AQI Range | PM2.5 Range (µg/m³) |
|---|---|---|
| Good | 0-50 | 0-9.0 |
| Moderate | 51-100 | 9.1-35.4 |
| Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups | 101-150 | 35.5-55.4 |
| Unhealthy | 151-200 | 55.5-125.4 |
| Very Unhealthy | 201-300 | 125.5-225.4 |
| Hazardous | 301-500+ | 225.5+ |
What is the Air Quality Index?
The Air Quality Index (AQI) tells us how clean or polluted the air is, with scores ranging from 0 to above 500. It is useful for determining whether the air is breathable without endangering one’s health. The figure which it mainly focuses on is called PM2.5 or air quality index.
PM2.5 musk is a tiny particle present in the atmosphere which is not even visible. These particles can come from vehicular emissions, industrial production, and combustion gases as well. Due to their tiny size, they are capable of entering the human body through the lungs and causing health issues.
The AQI is not static rather it worsens or improves depending on what time of day it is. In case the level of PM2.5 crosses the limit of 9.0 μg/m³, it is considered harmful.
Smog holidays latest update:
On Sunday, the Punjab government announced the closure of primary schools for a week in Lahore.
The situation will be assessed again next Saturday to determine whether to extend the school closure.
