Toxic Indian air reaches Lahore, increases smog

LAHORE:Diwali celebrations and stubble burning in India cities has increased air pollution and smog in Lahore and adjacent cities as the average AQI of the provincial capital reached around 250 here on Tuesday.

Data collected from Met office revealed that polluted winds blowing at a speed of 5 km/h from five Indian cities have worsened Lahore's AQI. They said presently winds were coming from Amritsar, Ferozepur, Patiala, Gurdaspur, Sangrur, Bathinda, Moga, Barnala, Mansa, Faridkot from Indian cities to Lahore, Kasur and adjacent cities, bringing pollution.

According to the Punjab Pollution Control Board, rice was harvested on an area of about 3 million hectares in Indian Punjab in September and October and around 663 villages on the Indian side contributed significantly to the process of stubble burning.

Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb said smog in Lahore and Kasur increased due to Diwali fireworks and stubble-burning in India. She said the wind speed from east to west in Lahore was expected to be about 9 kmph and the toxic air was especially dangerous for the health of children, the elderly, and respiratory patients.

Following the increase in air pollution, the Punjab government has intensified its anti-smog measures including water sprinkling was done continuously and anti-smog guns were operating in highly polluted areas. In addition to vehicle and industrial fumes at the local level, construction dust also worsens the air quality and to stop this inspection and monitoring have also increased at the exit/entrance points of Lahore since last night.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) force was also participating in the anti-smog operation and 24-hour sectoral monitoring was underway, the senior minister said, adding brickyards and industry were also being monitored and citizens were being continuously informed about the Air Quality Index Forecast.

Data collected from IQAir revealed that the PM2.5 concentration in Lahore was 15 times the World Health Organization annual PM2.5 guideline value.Met officials said continental air was prevailing over most parts of the country while a shallow westerly trough was present over northern parts of the country.

They predicted that due to the persistent dry weather and atmospheric pollution, the districts of eastern Punjab will remain under the influence of smog and citizens were advised to take precautionary measures.

Meanwhile, Punjab LG Department officials said strict actions were being taken against those involved in burning waste, establishing illegal encroachments, and other activities that contribute to smog.

They said fines exceeding Rs 114.2 million have been imposed on individuals caught burning solid waste, tyres, and rubber while cases have been registered against 49 individuals for burning waste.

To curb dust and improve air quality, water sprinkling was being carried out daily on major and minor roads throughout the province, they said, adding all local governments under the directive of the department, were actively engaged in field operations with a zero-tolerance policy towards environmental pollution strictly enforced.Secretary LG Shakeel Ahmad Mian, warned that immediate action will be taken against those transporting sand and soil without covering it with tarpaulin.