Lahore Awaits Rain as Smog Crisis Deepens
The Pakistan Meteorological Department has forecast rainfall in Lahore starting Saturday, offering temporary hope of relief from the city’s worsening and persistent smog problem.
According to the weather department, light to moderate showers are expected to ease harmful pollution levels that have placed Lahore atop global pollution rankings for days.
Air quality in the city reached dangerous levels on Monday, with an overall Air Quality Index reading of 471, posing serious health risks.
Several areas reported even higher concentrations of pollutants, with the Civil Secretariat recording 804, CCRP Office 758, Sanda Road 745, and Gulberg G-3 603 respectively.
Read More: IQAir Reveals Most Polluted City of Pakistan
Other localities including DHA Phase 8, Ravi Road, and Shadman also registered hazardous readings, indicating widespread air contamination across multiple residential and commercial zones.
Environmental experts have urged residents to minimize outdoor activities, wear protective N95 masks, and avoid opening windows to prevent direct exposure to harmful particles.
Authorities from education and health departments are now reviewing whether worsening conditions may require temporary school closures or stricter traffic control measures across Lahore.
Officials noted that upcoming rainfall might offer short-term relief; however, unchecked industrial emissions and vehicle exhausts could quickly deteriorate air quality once again.
