Kot Addu tops Punjab pollution index, Lahore ranks 12th

Kot Addu tops Punjab pollution index, Lahore ranks 12th

LAHORE: Air pollution remained a concern across Punjab on Wednesday, with Kot Addu recording the province’s highest Air Quality Index (AQI) at 183, while Lahore posted a reading of 143, according to the Environment Protection Agency.

Kot Addu topped the list of cities monitored for air quality, followed by Vehari at 171 and Jhelum at 169. Sahiwal recorded an AQI of 162, while Multan and Pakpattan both registered 159. Gujranwala stood at 157, Dera Ghazi Khan at 154 and Bhakkar at 153.

Sheikhupura recorded an AQI of 147, placing it ahead of Lahore, which ranked 12th. Faisalabad and Khushab both registered 137, followed by Okara at 133, Bahawalpur at 127 and Mandi Bahauddin at 125.

Wazirabad recorded an AQI of 124, while Sialkot stood at 118, Sargodha at 115 and Murree at 114. Mianwali registered 105 and Talagang 82. Rawalpindi recorded a comparatively lower reading of 68, while Jhang and Nankana Sahib posted readings of 52 and 40, respectively.

An advisory urged people to take precautions against the health effects of polluted air, particularly those vulnerable to respiratory and cardiovascular problems. It recommended maintaining healthy eating habits, avoiding smoking and monitoring health indicators such as blood oxygen levels and blood pressure. People who require respiratory support were also advised to keep necessary emergency equipment, including a nebuliser, available and seek medical attention if they experience breathing difficulties.

Children, older people and individuals with existing respiratory or heart conditions were advised to limit outdoor activities, especially when pollution levels rise.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan Meteorological Department forecast rain, windstorms and thunderstorms across upper and central Punjab as a westerly wave affected much of the country’s upper and central regions. Some areas could also experience heavy rain and hailstorms, while isolated showers were likely in Islamabad, Gilgit-Baltistan, Kashmir and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.

The Met Office warned that strong winds, hail and lightning could damage vulnerable structures, including mud-house roofs and walls, electric poles, billboards, vehicles and rooftop solar panels. Standing crops could also suffer damage from the adverse weather.