Lahore and adjoining districts are likely to face worsening air quality as polluted winds carrying smoke from Diwali fireworks in India’s Punjab region are expected to cross the border.
According to a special report issued by the Punjab Environment Protection Department, smoke from fireworks could reach Lahore within five to 13 hours, with air quality in the city and nearby border districts likely to deteriorate till Tuesday.
The report recorded Lahore’s average Air Quality Index (AQI) at 272 on November 7 before it rose to 335 by 1 pm on November 8. Another AQI reading stood at 294, compared with 163 at the same time a day earlier.
Satellite images from NASA showed a thicker layer of haze and pollution over India’s Punjab and Haryana on November 8 than the previous day, the report noted.
Easterly winds from India are forecast to blow at speeds of 7 to 11 kilometres per hour, while fireworks, crop-residue burning and relatively stagnant nighttime winds could further worsen pollution.
The department reported 2,347 crop-burning incidents in Indian Punjab by November 4, including 1,081 in three districts opposite Lahore and Kasur.
Meanwhile, Delhi’s AQI reached 455 on November 7 before climbing to 744 at 1 am on November 8 and crossing a whopping 2,000 in some areas during the wee hours of Monday.
While the report warned that Lahore’s pollution levels could remain particularly high on Monday and Tuesday, it added that a change in wind direction from Wednesday, November 11, could bring relief, while rain and stronger winds on November 12 and 13 may further improve air quality.
Residents have been advised to limit outdoor activities, stay indoors during hazardous conditions and use N95 masks when necessary. Children, elderly people and those with respiratory or cardiovascular diseases have been urged to take extra precautions.
The department will issue a comparative report on November 10 to assess the impact of Diwali celebrations on air quality.
