As blanket of dense smog shrouds much of Pakistan, it continues to cause highway accidents, flight disruptions and health issues, compelling, forcing people to stay home.
On Tuesday, Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International Airport and major sections of Motorway were closed as visibility dropped to zero in several cities of Punjab including Lahore, Faisalabad, Sheikhupura and Mianwali.
At least 18 people have been killed with dozens severely wounded in road accidents during last week due to low visibility caused by dense smog in different parts of Punjab. The accidents were reported in Faisalabad, Jhang, Shahkot, Pasrur, Attock, Taxila, Pakpattan with the deadliest one in Layyah where three children were killed as a speeding truck with a rickshaw. Jam Sajjad Hussain, spokesperson Rescue 1122, said that the numbers of accidents have now decreased but their intensity has increased.
Over 30 flight operations were also suspended at Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International Airport due to worsening condition.
Several Motorway sections have also been closed as the visibility level has plunged to 20 metres from Lahore to Bahawalpur and Kot Sabzal, Rahim Yar Khan. The Motorway Police has advised people to use fog lights and hazard lights to avert accidents.
The deadly smog has also triggered breathing issues among the citizens of different cities of Punjab. Health experts have advised the public to adopt preventive measures when outdoors as they may experience short-term skin and respiratory conditions such as skin and eye irritation, coughing, throat/chest irritation as a result of smog.
Pakistani meteorologist Dr Mohammad Hanif said the pollution, caused by dust, the burning of crops, and emissions from factories and brick kilns in Pakistan and neighbouring India, is causing the smog. He advised people to wear face masks to protect themselves.
The current smoggy conditions would continue for the next two weeks as no rainfall is expected till mid of November, Meteorological Office spokesman Dr Hanif said.
Efforts to control smog
Punjab government is making concerted efforts for prevention of smog. Around 236 industrial units, blamed for air pollution, have been sealed while FIRs have been lodged against 60 other units, according to spokesman of the provincial government, Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan,
Smog has also forced to change school timing in Punjab as the Government has announced that schools will open at 9 AM and close at 2:30 PM from Wednesday.
To carry out a comprehensive awareness campaign, Punjab government will spend about Rs1 million on health awareness and will provide 500,000 face masks to the people at an estimated cost of Rs0.88 million, according to Punjab Health Services Director General Dr Faisal Zahoor.
Shahbaz says every possible effort should be made to deal with smog
Chief Minister Mohammad Shehbaz Sharif held a high-level meeting reviewed precautionary measures aimed at dealing with the environmental issue of smog. He was displeased that the provincial government failed to adopt timely measures in the wake of smog and directed the concerned departments to take every possible effort to deal with the smog.
Earlier, Punjab Assembly adopted a resolution to approve mechanism for artificial rain to curb smog as rain is crucial to rid the air of smog and poisonous atmosphere. However, experts said Pakistan does not have resources to arrange for an artificial rain. There is no other way to deal with smog except for controlling sources of air pollution as “Artificial rain cannot be created in these conditions as it requires clouds,” says senior meteorologist Prof Dr Qamaruz Zaman Chaudhry.
