PMD fears smog surge in days ahead

Islamabad: The Pakistan Meteorological Department has warned that smog levels in the country, especially in the Punjab pro­vince, could rise in the days ahead due to pollution and stable weather conditions.

Smog - a mixture of smoke and fog - develops between November and mid-December largely because growers illegally burn paddy stubble to clear fields for winter. In an advisory, the PMD warned that major urban centres in Pakistan were likely to experience significant surges in smog, aggravated by a combination of industrial pollution, vehicular emissions, and stable weather patterns. It added that the current meteorological stable conditions, particularly during the autumn and winter seasons, were contributing to the accumulation of harmful pollutants in the atmosphere.

The department pointed out that limited wind movement, in conjunction with lower temperatures and increased humidity, impedes the dispersion of these pollutants, resulting in dense smog expected to linger over Punjab cities such as Lahore, Gujranwala, Sheikhupura, Kasur, Nankana Sahib, and Faisalabad. It also said the escalation in smog levels presented serious public health risks, potentially leading to an uptick in respiratory illnesses, asthma cases, and other pollution-related health issues. The PMD warned that vulnerable groups, including children, the elderly, and individuals with pre-existing health conditions, faced heightened risks. It added that deteriorating air quality was anticipated to diminish visibility on the roads, increasing the likelihood of traffic accidents and disrupting outdoor activities.