Toxic air crisis shrouds Punjab: Lahore tops global pollution
The air quality index is alarmingly high in Pakistan and India. This week, smog has drastically reduced visibility, obscuring views of landmarks such as the Taj Mahal in Agra. Consequently, many flights have been delayed.
On Thursday, 14 November, Lahore in eastern Pakistan, with a population of 14 million, was the most polluted city in the world, according to data from IQAir, which collects and publishes information on air pollution worldwide.
Horrible smog situation
In Lahore, the pollution index exceeded 1,100. The WHO considers levels above 180 to be hazardous to health.
According to IQAir data, Delhi, India, was a close second, with an AQI index surpassing 580.
Visibility at the international airport in Delhi dropped to approximately 300 metres that day. Even the day before, some flights were operating in nearly zero visibility. According to data from Flightradar24, as many as 88% of departures and 54% of arrivals on 13 November were delayed.
According to local officials, the causes of the toxic fog include air pollution, high humidity, weak winds, and a drop in temperature. Regrettably, the air is so dense that popular tourist attractions in the country are barely visible. Among the smog-covered sites are the 17th-century Taj Mahal in Agra and the Golden Temple – the main Sikh sanctuary – in Amritsar.
This smog is not just a problem for sightseeing or travel; it primarily threatens health and the environment. Indian doctors are raising alarms about the increasing number of patients suffering from coughs, colds, and severe asthma attacks. The Indian Ministry of Earth Sciences recorded an increase in field fires from 1,200 on 11 November to 2,300 two days later.
A massive health threat
NASA published satellite images on Monday showing the thick smog on the India-Pakistan border. The highest air quality index was recorded on 9 November in the Pakistani city of Multan, at 2,316.
By comparison, on 14 November, the index in Warsaw was close to 78. While lower, it is still concerning, as an AQI value of 0–50 is considered good. Health hazards are noted at levels of 400–500. Values above 800 are classified as deadly.
