ISLAMABAD: Polluted winds originating from Iran could deteriorate air quality in western parts of Pakistan following Sunday’s airstrikes on Iranian oil facilities, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) warned on Monday.
The Met Office, in a press release, said environmental fallout from attacks on Iran’s oil storage and refining infrastructure may affect neighbouring regions if prevailing winds carry pollutants eastward.
“Due to the recent situation in Iran, the winds may carry pollutants and deteriorate air quality in the western parts of the country,” the PMD said.
The warning follows a series of strikes by the United States and Israel on Iranian oil facilities, including storage depots and refineries near Tehran.
According to Iranian officials, at least five oil sites were targeted in Sunday’s overnight attacks.
The PMD said the strikes could trigger environmental consequences in the region due to the release of large quantities of pollutants.
Concerns over toxic emissions
Meteorologists noted that early signs of environmental contamination have already been reported in Iran.
Reports from Tehran indicated instances of “black acid rain” after thick smoke from burning oil facilities spread over the city.
Large plumes of black smoke were seen rising from oil depots, creating hazardous atmospheric conditions.
CNN correspondent Frederik Pleitgen, reporting from the Shahran oil depot in Tehran, described the scene as “apocalyptic”, saying the air felt toxic to breathe.
The Iranian Red Crescent Society also warned civilians about severe health risks, stating that large quantities of toxic hydrocarbons, sulphur compounds and nitrogen oxides released from the fires could cause chemical burns and respiratory damage.
Cross-border pollution
Despite the alarming developments in Iran, the PMD said no effects of the reported acid rain or pollution had been observed in Pakistan so far.
Officials said the department was closely monitoring the situation through satellite observations.
Iran’s meteorological data is currently unavailable due to internet disruptions during the ongoing conflict, forcing experts to rely on satellite imagery and atmospheric models to assess environmental developments.
The PMD noted that Tehran lies to the north-west of Pakistan, meaning any pollution travelling through prevailing winds would likely pass over Afghanistan before reaching Pakistani territory.
However, southern Iranian regions are geographically closer to Pakistan’s Balochistan province, raising the possibility that pollutants from those areas could move toward western Pakistan under favourable wind conditions.
Meteorologists also warned that increased carbon emissions from burning oil facilities could influence atmospheric conditions.
Higher concentrations of greenhouse gases may increase temperatures in the upper atmosphere, potentially raising the air’s capacity to hold moisture and influencing rainfall patterns across the wider region over time.
Rain forecast in northern Pakistan
Meanwhile, the PMD forecast rain, wind and thunderstorms in the upper parts of Pakistan from March 9 to 12 under the influence of a westerly weather system expected to reach the country’s western regions on Monday evening.
Partly cloudy to cloudy conditions with moderate rain and thunderstorms — with occasional heavy falls — are expected in several districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including Chitral, Dir, Swat, Kohistan, Shangla, Battagram, Buner, Malakand, Mansehra, Abbottabad and Haripur.
Similar weather conditions are expected in Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir during the same period.
Light rain and thunderstorms are also likely on March 10 and 11 in Khyber, Mohmand, Peshawar, Swabi, Mardan, Charsadda, Nowshera, Bajaur, Bannu, Waziristan, Orakzai, Kurram, Kohat, Hangu and Mianwali.
Rain and thunderstorms are forecast in Islamabad, the Potohar region, Murree and the Galliyat from Monday night to March 11, with occasional breaks in precipitation.
The PMD also warned that isolated hailstorms could occur in Islamabad and other northern areas during the forecast period.
According to the Met Office, daytime temperatures in upper parts of the country may drop by three to four degrees Celsius during the weather spell.
