Senior Provincial Minister Maryam Aurangzeb has highlighted the alarming impact of strong winds blowing from India, which have brought high levels of pollution into Lahore and surrounding Pakistani cities.
These winds, carrying pollution from crop residue burning in India, have pushed Lahore to the top of the air pollution index.
Aurangzeb explained that NASA's recent wind map indicates Lahore’s air quality is severely affected, while Indian cities Delhi and Kolkata also rank high on the index, with scores of 450 and 201, respectively. She warned that shifting wind patterns could further impact Lahore's air quality in the coming days.
To tackle the situation, the Punjab government is releasing real-time updates on the Green App.
A “war room” within the Department of Environmental Protection operates 24/7, monitoring air quality and coordinating clean-up efforts. Aurangzeb urged the public to adhere to safety guidelines, especially the elderly, children, and those with health conditions, and recommended mask-wearing as a precaution.
