A smog notice has been issued by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), alerting people to the rising levels of haze in several Pakistani cities in November and December.
The advice states that smog is predicted to have a major effect on Lahore, Faisalabad, Multan, Bahawalpur, Peshawar, Nowshera, and Mardan, with morning and evening hours likely to see the highest levels.
The NDMA advised people to wear masks and refrain from needless travel in order to reduce their exposure to dangerous air pollutants.
In order to control the smog crisis, which worsens during Pakistan’s winter months due to seasonal weather patterns and pollution levels, authorities are keeping an eye on air quality levels and putting policies into place.
In the meantime, Islamabad’s Air Quality Index (AQI) of 268 was concerning, exceeding by 38.7% the WHO’s recommended air quality standards.
As a precaution against the dangerous air quality, authorities have recommended mask use for people with respiratory disorders.
There is a chance of smog and fog covering the city, but the Met Department predicts that dry weather will continue in Islamabad and the neighboring areas.
In Lahore, Kasur, Okara, Sialkot, Hafizabad, and Toba Tek Singh, Punjab, haze and fog are expected in the mornings and nights. In Jhang, Narowal, Attock, Jhelum, Chakwal, Mangla, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Sargodha, Sheikhupura, and Faisalabad, comparable circumstances are probably present.
Smog is also predicted to affect Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Multan, Layyah, Bhakkar, Khanewal, Khanpur, Rahim Yar Khan, and Dera Ghazi Khan in South Punjab.
Cities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including Peshawar, Nowshera, Mardan, Swabi, Kohat, Bannu, Lakki Marwat, and Dera Ismail Khan, are expected to see comparable fog and smog problems. Foggy weather is also predicted by the Met Department for the areas of Sukkur, Larkana, Kashmore, and Khairpur in Sindh.
In the meantime, cold weather is predicted for Balochistani hilly regions both in the morning and at night.
