LAHORE: Record-high air pollution in Pakistan’s cultural capital of Lahore is sending more people to hospitals and private clinics, doctors said Wednesday as authorities warned a complete lockdown could be imminent if residents fail to don face masks and follow other guidance related to smog.
The warning came after residents out on the streets in Lahore, which has a population of 14 million, were seen overwhelmingly without masks. Doctors say most people are complaining of either having a cough or that they feel their eyes are burning.
“Tens of thousands of patients suffering from respiratory diseases were treated at hospitals and clinics in a week,” said Salman Kazmi, vice president of the Pakistan Medical Association.
You can see people coughing whenever you go, but they still hardly wear face masks, he said.
Lahore remained the world’s most polluted city Wednesday morning, with air quality index hitting a record high of over 1,100. Anything over 300 is considered hazardous to health.
A toxic smog has shrouded the city since last month.
Marriyum Aurangzeb, a senior minister in the Punjab province asked people to wear face masks to avoid a complete lockdown in the city. Lahore is the provincial capital.
Authorities in the city have already banned barbecuing food without filters, as well as the use of motorized rickshaws — and wedding halls must close by 10 p.m.
The government said it was also looking into methods to induce artificial rainfall to combat the pollution.
Record-high pollution sickens thousands in Pakistan’s cultural capital of Lahore
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Record-high pollution sickens thousands in Pakistan’s cultural capital of Lahore
- Authorities warn a complete lockdown could be imminent if smog-related guidelines are ignored
- Lahore remained world’s most polluted city Wednesday morning as air quality index rose to over 1,100
Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on alert amid forecast of heavy rain, snowfall
- Pakistan’s Met Office says westerly wave expected to trigger heavy rain, snowfall in northern areas from Jan. 25-27
- Disaster management authority urges district administrations to ensure that precautionary measures are in place
PESHAWAR: The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) in Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province issued a public advisory on Sunday, calling on district administrations and the tourism department to ensure precautionary arrangements are being undertaken as the province braces for heavy rains and snowfall this week.
Pakistan’s Meteorological Department this week warned that a westerly wave is likely to approach the country’s western parts from Jan. 25 and likely to grip Pakistan’s northern areas on Jan. 26. It warned that this system would trigger heavy rain and snowfall in these parts till Tuesday.
Administrations in Pakistan’s northwestern districts of Khyber and Swat carried out rescue operations on Thursday night after several vehicles were stranded in various parts of these areas. Footage on social media showed officials helping people as heavy snow blanketed vehicles on Tirah Road, Malam Jabba Road and in Nathia Gali.
“The advisory directs district administrations to ensure continuous monitoring of roads, highways, and tourist destinations, keep emergency response teams on alert, and maintain coordination between control rooms and the Provincial Emergency Operations Center (PEOC),” the PDMA said in a press release.
“In addition, hotels and guest houses have been instructed to inform tourists about potential risks and to issue timely alerts related to snowfall and landslides.”
It warned that rain and snowfall may lead to road blockages, slippery conditions, landslides, avalanches, and flash floods in various areas from Jan. 25-27, affecting the general public and tourists.
The PDMA advised people to avoid unnecessary travel, urging tourists not to visit upper and remote areas during the current period of snowfall and heavy rain.
The disaster management authority reassured citizens that it was monitoring the situation closely, urging them to contact the PDMA on its helpline at 1700 in case of any emergency.
Thousands of tourists from all over Pakistan flock to scenic spots in Azad Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, KP and Punjab during snowfall
Citizens often disregard warnings by disaster management authorities of deteriorating weather conditions and roadblocks, leading to emergency situations.
In January 2022, at least 21 people were killed when they were left trapped in their cars during a snowstorm in the Pakistani hill station of Murree.
