Smog continues to be severe in Punjab, with Lahore, the City of Gardens, still suffering from high levels of air pollution.
According to the EPA report, the average smog rate in the city has been recorded at 334.
The air quality index (AQI) in various areas of Lahore has reached alarming levels: 815 on Ravi Road, 547 in Allama Iqbal Town, 510 at Lower Mall, and 488 on Burki Road.
Meanwhile, weather forecasters predict that the minimum temperature in the city is likely to drop to 6°C, while the maximum temperature could rise to 22°C. The current temperature is recorded at 12°C.
According to the Meteorological Department, wind speed is low at 3 kilometers per hour, while the humidity in the air stands at 68 percent.
Lahore experienced dry and cold weather on Sunday, and similar conditions are expected to continue on Monday. Met officials said that most parts of the country would remain under the influence of continental air, with a shallow westerly wave affecting the extreme northern areas.
They forecast cold and dry weather for much of the country, with very cold conditions in hilly regions during the morning and night hours. Smog and patchy fog may form over the plains of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa during the same period.
Officials added that both day and night temperatures are likely to drop further in northern regions over the coming days, while foggy conditions across the plains of Punjab and KP are expected to gradually intensify. On Sunday, the lowest minimum temperature was recorded in Skardu at -11°C.
Lahore Waste Management Company (LWMC) has intensified its anti-smog drive to protect citizens from the adverse effects of smog.
According to LWMC sources, and following directives from the Company’s CEO Babar Sahib Din, water sprinkling operations were carried out at key entrance and exit points of the city, even on Sunday, a holiday.
Mechanical sweeping and scraping operations were also underway on major roads to control fugitive dust. Special instructions have been issued to continue intermittent water sprinkling in areas with high Air Quality Index (AQI) levels.
These efforts were focused on prominent roads, including Mall Road, Jail Road, Gulberg, Ferozepur Road, Canal Road, Shimla Pahari, Press Club, Egerton Road, Kashmir Road, and Queen Mary Road.
Scraping operations were carried out on Multan Road, Bhekewal Mor, Punjab University, Queen Mary Road, Gol Bagh, Shad Bagh, McLeod Road, and Allama Iqbal Road. Scraping teams were also actively working on GT Road, Ferozepur Road, Kacha Jail Road, Madar-e-Millat Road, and Raiwind Road.
CEO Babar Sahib Din emphasized that the scraping process would be completed in phases across all towns in Lahore. He also warned that strict action would be taken against individuals disposing of construction debris or garbage on the streets. LWMC remains committed to providing a smog-free environment for the people of Lahore, he added.