Lahore smog crisis worsens with 15,000 new cases; NASA captures alarming image of pollution

Lahore (The Uttam Hindu): The toxic smog currently engulfing Lahore and other parts of Pakistan has worsened, with the city reporting over 15,000 new cases of respiratory and viral infections in just 24 hours. Hospitals in Lahore are overwhelmed with patients suffering from a range of ailments, including dry cough, breathing difficulties, pneumonia, and chest infections. The highest number of cases have been recorded at major government hospitals, including Mayo Hospital (over 4,000 patients), Jinnah Hospital (3,500 patients), Gangaram Hospital (3,000 patients), and the Children's Hospital (2,000+ patients). Medical experts have raised concerns about the heightened vulnerability of children and individuals with pre-existing conditions, such as asthma and heart disease, to the harmful effects of the smog. Ashraf Zia, a local health expert, stated, "Special children are severely affected by this toxic air."

In addition to respiratory issues, the smog has led to an uptick in viral diseases such as pneumonia, chest infections, and various skin conditions. "Over 10 viral diseases are currently widespread in Lahore," Zia noted. To address the worsening smog crisis, the Pakistani government has implemented several emergency measures, including a three-month ban on weddings and new guidelines from the transport department. The Punjab government has also closed schools and colleges in the region to mitigate the impact on public health. NASA's Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) also reported the severe air pollution blanketing northern Pakistan. "A thick layer of sky-soiling smog covered northern Pakistan in early November 2024, causing air quality to plummet, closing schools, and sending hundreds of people to hospitals," NASA MODIS stated.

NASA further highlighted the dangerous air quality levels, reporting that the Air Quality Index (AQI) in parts of Punjab spiked above 1,900 on November 10. The Punjab Provincial Disaster Management Authority declared smog a "calamity" and instituted emergency measures in response. On November 12, the Punjab government website reported that the AQI for the province had averaged 604 over the past 24 hours, placing it firmly in the hazardous range. NASA's satellite imagery showed a dense tan haze over the region, obscuring the landscape and trapping fog close to the ground. Lahore, which has recently ranked as the world's most polluted city, is located near the northeastern edge of the haze.