Lahore tops global pollution list as AQI hits 297

Air pollution and dust continued to blanket Lahore, pushing the city to the top of the global list of most polluted cities, with an overall Air Quality Index (AQI) of 297.

Among the city’s neighbourhoods, Allama Iqbal Town recorded the highest AQI at 429, followed by Canal Road at 376, Burki Road at 358, Gulberg at 314 and Johar Town at 298.

Model Town recorded an AQI of 289, Lower Mall 283, Bedian Road 281, DHA 241 and Askari 10 recorded 199.

Meanwhile, the Meteorological Department reported dry and cold weather in Lahore, with the temperature recorded at 24 degrees Celsius and expected to reach a maximum of 29 degrees.

Humidity stood at 54 per cent, while winds were blowing at 5 kilometres per hour. No rainfall is forecast for the city.

Meanwhile, under the seven-day ‘Chamakta Lahore’ campaign, authorities have launched road-washing operations and water misting through anti-smog guns to help reduce air pollution.

Lahore Waste Management Company CEO Shehryar Arif said the anti-smog guns were being deployed in areas identified by the Environmental Protection Department as highly polluted.

He said the equipment had been designed to help reduce pollution levels across the city.