LAHORE: Lahore has once again claimed the unenviable title of the world’s most polluted city, maintaining its position at the top of the list.
Following closely behind is New Delhi, the capital of India, which ranks as the city with the second-highest levels of air pollution.
According to data from IQAir, a Swiss air quality monitoring agency, Lahore’s air quality on Thursday morning was alarmingly categorized as ‘Unhealthy,’ with an air quality index measuring 180.
IQAir’s data also reveals that New Delhi, India, closely follows Lahore as the second most polluted city globally, with an air quality index of 179, also categorized as ‘Unhealthy.’ The capital of Bangladesh, Dhaka, secures the third spot with an air quality index recorded at 167 on Thursday morning.
The concentration of PM2.5 (particulate matter) in this Punjab capital was a staggering 22.5 times higher than the annual air quality guideline value recommended by the World Health Organization. PM2.5 refers to fine particulate matter with a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometers, commonly used to measure particle levels in outdoor and indoor environments.
Lahore has been grappling with consistently poor air quality in recent months and over the past few years, particularly during the onset of the ‘fifth season’ of smog. Air quality typically deteriorates from September through at least February.
To address the worsening air quality and combat alarming levels of smog and air pollution, local authorities have decided to close schools, markets, and government and private institutions every Wednesday for the next two months, at a minimum. School administrations instruct staff to work from home on Wednesdays to facilitate a smoother transition to this new schedule. Banks, private institutions, clubs, and hotels must adhere to this Wednesday shutdown.
