This story is from November 14, 2024

Lahore reports over 15,000 respiratory cases in one day due to toxic haze, Nasa shares smog photo

| TOI World Desk | TIMESOFINDIA.COM | Nov 14, 2024, 17:44 IST

Lahore, the city with over 14 million people surrounded by industrial factories, has hit record pollution levels this month. The toxic smog affecting Lahore and other parts of Pakistan has worsened, with more than 15,000 cases of respiratory and viral infections reported in a single day, Ary News reported on Thursday.

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According to Swiss group IQAir, Lahore’s pollution index reached a staggering 1165, while New Delhi and surrounding areas hovered around 350.

Hospitals in Lahore are experiencing an influx of patients presenting symptoms including dry cough, respiratory distress, pneumonia, and chest infections.

The primary government healthcare facilities have recorded substantial patient numbers: Mayo Hospital attended to over 4,000 individuals, Jinnah Hospital treated 3,500 patients, Gangaram Hospital received 3,000 cases, and Children's Hospital managed more than 2,000 patients.

Surge in various ailments in Pakistan
Healthcare professionals in Pakistan have highlighted the increased risk to children and individuals with underlying conditions such as asthma and cardiac ailments, Ary News reported.

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The atmospheric pollution has triggered a surge in various ailments, including pneumonia, chest infections, and dermatological conditions.

Nasa shares satellite images of thick smog blanketing Lahore to Delhi

Nasa’s satellite imagery has captured a dense layer of smog engulfing eastern Pakistan and northern India, covering major cities like Lahore and New Delhi. This toxic blanket of grey haze is visible from space and has prompted immediate health concerns, affecting millions of people. In Lahore, with over 14 million residents, the pollution crisis has reached unprecedented levels, highlighting the severe impact of industrial emissions, vehicle exhaust, and crop burning. (Image by Nasa world view)

The air quality in Lahore and New Delhi has deteriorated to hazardous levels. In Lahore, the Air Quality Index (AQI) skyrocketed to 1165, while Delhi and its surrounding areas hovered around 350. The safe AQI threshold is below 50, far from the current alarming figures. This thick smog has led to an emergency response in Pakistan, as authorities race to address the immediate health risks posed to residents, particularly the vulnerable. (Image by Nasa world view)

With Lahore's air quality in the hazardous range, Pakistani authorities have closed schools and restricted outdoor activities to protect children and residents from the severe pollution. Until November 17, children are staying indoors as schools remain shut to prevent exposure to toxic air. Alongside school closures, warnings have been issued for elderly residents and those with respiratory conditions who face heightened health risks due to the pollution crisis. (Image by Nasa world view)

In Multan, approximately 350 kilometres from Lahore, the AQI spiked to a staggering 2,135, with PM2.5 levels at 947 micrograms per cubic metre—189 times above WHO’s safe limits. The AQI in Multan remained three times above the hazardous threshold of 300, with residents facing severe respiratory risks. In response, the government has banned access to parks and zoos, and limited pollution from sources like tuk-tuks and unfiltered barbecue restaurants. (Image by Nasa world view)

According to the World Health Organization, prolonged exposure to high pollution levels can lead to severe health issues, including strokes, heart disease, lung cancer, and respiratory conditions. Particularly at risk are children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing health problems. In Lahore, PM2.5 particles from fossil fuel combustion, dust storms, and wildfires pose the greatest danger, linked to asthma, heart and lung disease, and cognitive impairment in children.

In an attempt to combat the pollution crisis, a “smog war room” has been established in Pakistan’s Punjab province. Staffed by officials from eight departments, the war room is tasked with addressing causes of pollution, such as crop stubble burning and traffic congestion. Efforts are being made to reduce emissions and improve air quality, though the scale of pollution means immediate improvements are unlikely, leaving millions to face serious health threats.

A combination of industrial pollution, traffic emissions, and crop stubble burning is driving the smog crisis in Lahore and Delhi. Cooler winter temperatures and slower winds trap the pollutants, allowing the toxic haze to linger over cities. During this season, agricultural burning in rural areas adds to urban emissions, creating a toxic mix that suffocates millions of residents and escalates air quality levels to hazardous figures.

The World Health Organization (WHO) warns that air pollution can lead to strokes, heart disease, lung cancer, and respiratory issues. Children, babies, and the elderly are especially vulnerable to these health risks.

PM2.5, the fine particulate matter that poses the greatest danger, is the chief pollutant in Lahore’s air. It originates from fossil fuel combustion, dust storms, and wildfires, and has been linked to asthma, heart and lung disease, cancer, and cognitive impairment in children.

Comprehensive measures to address the issue
Pakistani authorities are implementing comprehensive measures to address this environmental crisis. According to Pakistani media outlets, the Punjab Provincial Disaster Management Authority of Pakistan officially classified smog as a "calamity" and implemented emergency protocols.

The pollution, mainly caused by industrial emissions, vehicle exhaust, and agricultural stubble burning, has triggered health emergencies. As a result, schools have been closed, outdoor activities banned, and significant health concerns are mounting. The hazardous air poses serious risks, especially to children, the elderly, and those with respiratory conditions.

Also read: Pakistan restricts outdoor activities, market hours to curb air pollution-related illness

The government's response includes a three-month ban on wedding celebrations and new transport department regulations to combat smog across the province. Additionally, the Pakistan Punjab administration has suspended educational activities in schools and colleges.

In Multan, located about 350 kilometres from Lahore, the AQI reached an even more alarming 2,000. In response, authorities have banned access to parks, zoos, and other public spaces, along with polluting tuk-tuks and restaurants using unfiltered barbecues.

Thick blanket of sky-soiling smog

The extensive smog covering northern Pakistan has been documented by NASA's Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS).

"A thick blanket of sky-soiling smog hung over northern Pakistan in early November 2024, causing air quality to plummet, schools to close, and sending hundreds of people to the hospital", NASA MODIS said.

"On November 12, the Punjab government website advised that the AQI for the province over the last 24 hours had averaged 604-well into the Hazardous range", it added.

NASA MODIS described the severe pollution, stating that, "The tan haze is so thick that it completely obscures the landscape of Pakistan from view. Irregular patches of a lighter color indicate that fog hugs the ground underneath the haze. The city of Lahore, Pakistan--which has ranked as the most polluted city in the world in recent days--is located near the northeastern edge of the fog".

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