The deadly smog crisis has worsened in various cities of Punjab, especially in Lahore, prompting the closure of all outdoor spaces for the public in the provincial capital while Multan’s air quality deteriorates drastically.
Lahore ranked the most polluted city in the world with live rankings by Swiss group IQAir rated the city’s air quality as “hazardous” with the air quality index (AQI) 760 at around 8am on Saturday.
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Meanwhile, Multan had the worst air quality in the wee hours, with an unprecedented AQI of over 1,900, making it the worst-hit city in the country by smog.
The visibility was reduced to zero as dense smog engulfed the southern Punjab city. However, the citizens are reportedly not adhering to mask-wearing and other guidelines to avoid the effects of air pollution despite hazardous levels of smog.
The district administration was also seen as inactive in implementing the directives for safety from smog.
In Lahore, thick smog led to wide-scale road closures for the second day as several points at motorways were blocked for traffic.
M1 Motorway was closed from Charsadda to Akbar Pura, M2 Motorway from Lahore to Kot Sarwar, M3 Motorway from Samandari to Darkhana and M4 Motorway from Pindi Bhattian to Abdul Hakeem.
Moreover, the traffic was restricted on M5 Motorway from Shersha to Jhangra, while Lahore-Sialkot Motorway was also completely blocked.
At least 9 people were injured in a road accident near Kalashah Kako on GT Road, Mureed K when a van rammed into a truck parked by the road due to low visibility.
The spiraling air pollution has sparked government concern, prompting provincial authorities to adopt lock-down-like measures in the megacity to reduce emissions and protect workers and communities.
