Lahore once again claims the top spot for the world’s worst air quality as its Air Quality Index (AQI) exceeded the 1,000-mark early Wednesday, with a hazardous level of 1,165 recorded in the morning, according to Swiss air quality monitor IQAir. Fine particulate matter (PM2.5), the pollutant most harmful to health, was measured at 125.2 times the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommended annual guideline.
Despite a slight drop to 1,099, the AQI remained in the hazardous zone. Lahore has faced severe smog in recent days, with AQI figures previously reaching 1,194. This alarming pollution level has led to rising health issues in Punjab, with over 55,000 eye infection cases reported in the province from October 21-27, and more than 7,000 in Lahore alone. The Health Department also reported more than 6,000 cases of respiratory issues, advising increased water intake for those affected by the smog.
In response, the Punjab government has set up a “smog war room” to monitor air quality and weather forecasts daily. The initiative involves eight departments, focusing on controlling farm waste burning, traffic management, and pollution prevention measures.
Lahore’s index score, while lower than last week’s unprecedented 1,900, still highlights a critical pollution crisis. The persistent smog has already prompted primary school closures and work-from-home orders. Officials have partially attributed Lahore’s worsening air quality to pollution drifting from across the Indian border, where New Delhi ranks as the second most polluted city globally, with an AQI of 364.
South Asia faces a seasonal pollution crisis every winter as cold air traps emissions, construction dust, and smoke, often from agricultural fires.
