LAHORE – Lahore is still top polluted city in the world amid battle with worsening smog situation across Punjab.
The average smog level was recorded at 822 while the air quality index in the DHA Phase 8 area reached 1254 in Lahore.
The AQI in the Shimla Hill and American Consulate areas was recorded at 876.
Meanwhile, the Environmental Department has stated that an increase in smog levels is expected in the coming days, and citizens are advised to take precautionary measures due to the rising smog.
In response to the worsening smog, the Punjab government has made it mandatory to wear masks in the four major divisions of Punjab.
A notification has been issued by the Director-General of the Environment, Imran Hameed Sheikh, which makes it compulsory to wear masks in the Lahore, Gujranwala, Faisalabad, and Multan divisions.
According to the notification, wearing masks will be mandatory in smog-affected areas until January 31. Citizens are urged to comply with the mask-wearing rule whenever they step outside.
The Punjab Environmental Protection department stated that the increasing smog is leading to a rise in respiratory illnesses, and the decision to mandate masks has been made to protect people from the harmful effects of chemicals in the air.
