LAHORE: Lahore returned to the top of global pollution rankings on Friday as air quality deteriorated across the city, with several localities recording the maximum AQI reading of 500.
Lahore Tops Global Pollution Rankings
Punjab’s air quality platform recorded Lahore’s AQI at 347 at 7am, up 42 points from 305 at the same time on Thursday. Its archived data shows the reading peaked at 419 at 10am before declining later in the day. At 8pm, the platform recorded a citywide reading of 106.
In IQAir’s global city ranking, Lahore was listed first with an AQI of 288 in one Friday morning update, followed by New Delhi at 243, Dakar at 194 and Kolkata at 178. Dawn reported a separate Friday snapshot in which IQAir showed Lahore at 410; the Punjab government platform recorded 339 at 11am. The differing readings reflect different update times, monitoring stations and methods.
Several Localities Record AQI of 500
Within Lahore, Shahdara, Kahna Nau and Multan Road reached 500, while Gulberg III recorded 394, DHA Phase VI 379 and the Punjab University area 316. Punjab’s citywide ranking placed Lahore first in the province, followed by Nankana Sahib at 345, Kasur at 292, Sheikhupura at 278 and Wazirabad at 275.
Officials Cite Winds and Anti-Smog Measures
Officials attributed the rise in pollution to easterly winds carrying polluted air into Punjab from across the border. The Environment Department said it was operating anti-smog guns at locations selected according to monitoring data, with priority given to pollution hotspots and areas with elevated PM10 readings. The department said the machinery was being shifted as needed to suppress road dust.
Lahore typically experiences seasonal smog from October to February. The Punjab EPA lists crop-residue burning, vehicle and industrial emissions, brick-kiln smoke and construction dust among the factors that contribute to the city’s air pollution.
