Lahore Becomes World’s Most Polluted City with AQI of 753
— November 10, 2024
LAHORE (AIA) Lahore remained blanketed in dense smog on Sunday, reducing visibility to mere meters in suburban areas and prompting motorway closures across Punjab. The city’s air quality index (AQI) reached a staggering 753, making it the most polluted city globally, according to Swiss IQAir data.
Swiss IQAir recorded Lahore’s AQI at 688 around 9 a.m., placing it at the top of the global pollution rankings. Delhi, India’s capital, ranked second with an AQI of 254.
The Environment Protection Department reported varying AQI levels across Lahore, with DHA Phase 8 at 1,391, the American Consulate area at 860, the Mall at 806, and Askari 10 at 725.
In other parts of Pakistan, Multan’s AQI was recorded at 527, while Islamabad and Rawalpindi showed levels of 226 and 248, respectively.
Due to severe smog, the Motorways Police closed several routes. Spokesperson Syed Imran Ahmed confirmed that sections of the M2 motorway from Lahore to Kot Momin, M4 from Pindi Bhattian to Abdul Hakeem, and M5 from Multan to Sukkur were shut down for safety. Motorways Police advised the public to restrict travel to daytime hours, between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., to minimise risks.