Islamabad’s air pollution continues to worsen, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) reaching a hazardous level of 210, according to recent reports.
This level is 26.9% higher than the World Health Organization’s recommended guidelines, posing health risks, especially for those with respiratory conditions. Residents are advised to wear masks to mitigate exposure to harmful pollutants.
The Met Department has forecast dry weather to persist in and around Islamabad along with smog and foggy conditions.
Meanwhile, Karachi is experiencing a shift in weather. The Met Department reported that the city’s morning temperatures are cool and chilly, though dry heat prevails during the day.
Karachi's current temperature stands at 26 degrees Celsius, with the highest likely to go to 34 degrees. The minimum recorded temperature was 22 degrees Celsius, and the humidity level is at 86%. Pollution levels have also been recorded, with 137 PM2.5 particulate matter in the air, indicating moderate pollution.
The Met Department also issued warnings of smog and fog across various regions in Pakistan due to dry weather conditions. These include cities in Punjab like Lahore, Kasur, Okara, Hafizabad, Toba Tek Sindh, Jhang, Narowal, Sialkot, and others, where dense fog and smog are expected. Chance of fog and smog are also likely in Attock, Jhelum, Chakwal, Mangala, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Sargodha, Sheikhupura, Sahiwal and Faisalabad.
Smog is also likely in areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa such as Peshawar, Mardan, Kohistan and Kohat. Chitral, Dir, Swat, and surrounding areas may experience cloudy weather, with rain and snowfall on the mountainous regions.
In Sindh, districts including Sukkur and Larkana may see foggy conditions in the early morning and late-night hours, while most of Balochistan will remain dry with cooler temperatures in the hilly areas during mornings and nights.
