LAHORE – Smog situation has eased in Lahore and other cities of Punjab after days of chocking air pollution with parents now looking towards the government to know if there would be a change in schools reopening date.
The AQI in the Punjab capital has dropped to 484 from record-breaking 1600 or above, according to Swiss monitoring portal IQAir. The air quality is still hazardous but it has significantly improved as compared previous worsened situation.
The deteriorating air quality has forced the government to take several measures such as closing schools, reducing market timings, shutting outdoor activities and declaring health emergency in Lahore and other cities of Punjab.
Last week, the Punjab government also conducted a successful trial of local technology for artificial rain.
Cloud seeding” was carried out in Jhelum, Chakwal, Talagang, and Gujar Khan resulting in rainfall in Jhelum and Gujar Khan within a few hours.
This project was the result of joint efforts by the Punjab government, Pakistan Army’s Scientific Research and Development experts, Army Aviation, PARCO, and the Environmental Protection Agency.
Schools Reopening Date in Punjab
Previously, the provincial government had announced the closure of schools till November 17 but later it extended the holidays till Nov 24 as there was no improvement in air quality in last week.
The provincial government has decided to reopen schools in Rawalpindi division from tomorrow November 19 as smog situation has eased. However a decision for reopening schools in other cities is yet to be taken.
If the schedule of schools closure is not revised in the meeting, they will reopen in other Punjab cities on November 25, Monday.
