LAHORE: Smog has shown drastic rise in Lahore and its suburbs was because of burning the remains of crops in the border area of India besides change in direction of wind, said Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar on Thursday.
“Situation is much better due to the last night rain and after every passing day situation will be better”, the Chief Minister Punjab said in a statement issued here on Thursday.
CM Buzdar said that he continued to monitor smog related situation till late in night and issued instructions to the concerned department and administration in this regard. Administration and traffic police were made active for redressing the problems of citizens. He further maintained that instruction has been issued to the concerned department to remain alert for coping with smog related situation in the coming days.
The Chief Minister said that the Environment and other concerned departments including administration should ensure the implementation of plan formulated to cope with smog in letter and spirit and no leniency take in this regard.
While issuing instruction to speed up the ongoing campaign against industries, cars and brick-kilns involved in spreading pollution, he said that strict legal action should be taken against responsible. He further directed to run awareness campaign for informing the people about the preventive measures to protect themselves from smog.
It is to mention here that after a sudden spike in Lahore’s Air Quality Index (AQI) from less than 200 to more than 500 late on Wednesday, the chief minister announced closure of public and private schools on Thursday. This is the first time that smog has forced closure of schools.
Just before midnight, Chief Minister Usman Buzdar tweeted: “Due to sudden increase in smog, all schools in Lahore will remain closed tomorrow. We are closely monitoring the #LahoreSmog situation. Administration is already on high alert and have tasked them to escalate actions against crop burning and other factors that contribute to smog.”
As per Lahore US consulate Air Quality Monitor feed, the level of smog was hazardous and at 10pm, Lahore’s AQI was PM2.5 – 580.
Punjab Education Minister Murad Raas was also vigilant about the toxic air. At 9:52pm, he tweeted: “SMOG at abnormally high levels right now in Lahore. Continuously monitoring the situation. Please refrain from taking the kids outdoors unless it is absolutely necessary. Will update.”
It was, however, left to the chief minister to announce a holiday in schools after realising the adversity of the situation.
As per weather pundits, the sudden rise in smog stemmed from the change of direction of wind, which brought smoke and other pollutants from India. They predicted that rain on Thursday would improve the air quality.
Health experts advised people, especially children and the elderly, to remain indoors and take more liquids.
A group of students have petitioned the Lahore High Court seeking change in the AQI measurement system, and implementation of the Smog Policy.
Input with INP
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