Lahore emerged as the second most polluted city in the world on Wednesday as the air quality index (AQI) was recorded at 224, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
Delhi, with AQI recorded at 354, topped the ranking of the world’s most polluted cities.
Firecrackers were exploded in Indian cities on Monday and Tuesday on the occasion of Diwali, which resulted in an extremely poor air quality in these cities.
The smog then travelled to the Punjab cities, including Lahore.
However, the steps taken by the Punjab government prevented the situation from getting worse.
Today, winds would blow in the Punjab capital at a speed ranging from three to eight kilometers per hour.
However, pollution is likely to increase in the city in the evening due to the smoke emitting from vehicles and the smog entering from India.
The air quality is likely to improve between 12:00 at noon till 5:00 in the evening, while the temperature would rise to 32 degrees Celsius in the afternoon.
Winds will blow from Dharam Shala and other cities in the state of Himachal Pradesh towards Lahore, Gujranwala, Faisalabad at a speed ranging between five and nine kilometers per hour.
Similarly, winds will blow from Indian cities of Ludhiana, Ganganagar and others to Sahiwal, Burewala and Vehari at a speed ranging between six and seven kilometers per hour, while from Haryana to Bahawalpur, Rahim Yar Khan and Multan at a speed fluctuating between four to six kilometers per hour.
On the other hand, the Punjab government’s anti-smog operation is going great guns as anti-smog guns are being used in the areas more vulnerable to pollution.
Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb said on Wednesday that water would be sprinkled at construction sites and other dusty areas. “The entry of trucks and other large vehicles in Lahore will be controlled,” she said, adding, “The government looks forward to a full cooperation by the people in its anti-smog efforts.”
On the other hand, doctors have advised people to take precautionary measures.
They have urged children, aged people and those suffering from asthma to avoid stepping out of their homes.