smog:Lahore residents continue to endure the persistent challenge of smog, with the air quality index (AQI) reaching 414 on Wednesday morning, following a three-day smart lockdown.
The smog, characterized by a combination of smoke and fog, had initially diminished when the interim Punjab government implemented a decisive smart lockdown across ten districts. However, it has since intensified.
As of Wednesday morning, the AQI in Lahore's cantonment area spiked to 517, while Amir Town and The Mall recorded levels of 477.
DELAY IN ARTIFICIAL RAIN PLAN
Sources indicate that the Punjab government's initiative to induce artificial rain as a measure to mitigate pollution in Lahore has encountered a setback, facing a delay of four to six weeks.
Technical challenges and suboptimal performance by project experts are cited as reasons for the delay, with a shortage of available aircraft being a significant contributing factor.
In a parallel development, the Lahore High Court has issued an order mandating the cessation of commercial activities by 10 pm to curb smog.
It is noteworthy that smog, characterized by reduced visibility, is primarily attributed to air pollution resulting from the burning of crop residue by farmers in both Pakistan and India.
Additionally, urban areas often experience smog due to emissions from vehicles and industries. The persistent smog crisis in Lahore underscores the urgency of effective measures to address the multifaceted sources of air pollution.