Lahore, the Land of Pakistan, has been facing heavy smog for over a month, in which the haze is so thick that it is even visible from space. As per the satellite images of NASA Worldview, there are large expanses of solid air pollution in the upper regions of India and Pakistan.
Lahore’s situation around Smog deteriorates further.
Lahore is now facing one of the worst smog crises for the last month, where the toxic dense haze has even become visible from the outer layers of the atmosphere. Satellite images captured by the NASA operated Worldview satellite illustrate how massive and dense clouds of smog cover the northern region of India and Pakistan. As reported by CNN, it is said that cities like Lahore and Multan are completely covered by a thick dark smog that has surpassed the visibility of buildings and roads. The environmental condition has changed so drastically that the green visible landscapes have been replaced by one single grey-brown color.
General Effects
New Delhi, India, experiences similar climate and air quality conditions as Lahore, evidenced by views of the two cities smothered in thick haze as seen in NASA satellite images.
Before (August 31, 2024): A NASA radar image shows clear weather in Punjab region of Pakistan and northwestern region of India.
After (November 10, 2024): A NASA photograph shows town of Punjab region of India and northwestern region of India covered in heavy fog.
Air quality rankings
Lahore was announced the ‘most polluted city in the world’ on the 20th of March 2019, based on the qualitative report from air monitoring company IQAir. The air quality of the city was so poor that the Air Quality Index (AQI) was described as “very hazardous.” In the worldwide air pollution order of ranks, New Delhi and the capital city of Democratic Republic of Congo Kinshasa came second and third respectively.
Health Warnings and Concerns
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has raised an alarm on the hazardous air quality in Punjab that poses health risks citing the most over 11 million infants as the most affected. According to Abdullah Fadil, who represents UNICEF Pakistan, there is a reason for concern as innumerable children and adults have been admitted to hospitals in the most smog affected areas of the country.
Conclusion
The problem of smog which is being experienced in Lahore and nearby areas, calls for a quick resolution to the problem of air pollution. Since health dangers are amplifying, particularly among the at-risk groups, there is a need to quickly intervene and alleviate the concerns related to the health effects as well as the environmental impact of such extreme pollution.