LAHORE – Smog continued to persist in Lahore and major cities of Punjab with high intensity, putting the health of the public at risk besides considerably reducing visibility.
Toxic smog increased flu, eyesores, skin allergies, difficulty in breathing and other weather-related diseases as Lahore’s average Air Quality Index (AQI) reached 511 on Friday. AQI of 400-500 is considered hazardous.
Murree remained the coldest place in Punjab where the minimum temperature was recorded at 11°C.
In Lahore, minimum temperature was recorded at 18°C. Relative humidity during the evening was recorded at 76 per cent.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has predicted the prevailing smog to persist in Lahore and major cities of the province on Saturday and Sunday due to a stable atmosphere and lack of rain.
As per the synoptic situation, continental air prevails over most parts of Pakistan. A shallow westerly wave will likely approach extreme northern areas of Pakistan tomorrow (evening/night).
Under these conditions, mainly dry weather is expected in Lahore and most districts of Punjab during the weekend.
Lahore’s minimum temperature will likely remain between 17-19°C on Saturday and 18-20°C on Sunday.
Smog will likely persist in Sialkot, Narowal, Gujranwala, Lahore, Kasur, Okara, Sargodha, Jhang, Sheikhupura, Sahiwal, Faisalabad, Bahawalpur, Multan, Rahimyar Khan, Dera Ghazi Khan and surrounding areas.
Fog (in patches) will likely persist in Mangla, Rawalpindi, Chakwal, Jhelum, Sheikhupura, Sahiwal, Faisalabad, Bahawalpur, Multan, Dera Ghazi Khan and surroundings. Dense fog will also likely be at isolated places during morning/night hours.
Health experts have advised people to take necessary measures to avoid smog-related hazards. They advised citizens to avoid unnecessarily going outdoors. If unavoidably, wear masks while going outdoors, they said.
Below-normal rains, above-normal temperatures likely in Pakistan during November 2024
