A dramatic satellite image released by NASA has captured an expansive toxic smog blanket stretching across eastern Pakistan and northern India, highlighting the severe air quality crisis affecting millions in both nations.
NASA Satellite Image reveals smog around Lahore, Delhi
The image distinctly shows major urban centres, including Lahore and New Delhi, shrouded under a dense grey haze. Lahore, Pakistan’s industrial hub with 14 million residents, has recorded unprecedented pollution levels this month, according to Swiss air quality monitoring group IQAir, which reported a staggering pollution index score of 1165.
Meanwhile, New Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) remains around 350 – both figures far exceeding the “good” AQI threshold of 50 or below.
Here’s what Lahore is doing to combat pollution:
The crisis has prompted Pakistani authorities to implement emergency measures through November 17, including school closures to protect children from exposure. In Multan, located 350 kilometers from Lahore, pollution levels surged even higher, with AQI readings exceeding 2,000 last week, AFP reports.
Additional restrictions include bans on accessing public spaces such as parks, zoos, and museums, along with prohibitions on two-stroke engine tuk-tuks and unfiltered restaurant barbecues. Punjab province has established a “smog war room” with multi-department coordination to address farm waste burning and traffic management.
WHO on diseases by the environmental crisis?
The World Health Organization warns that this seasonal phenomenon, caused by a combination of industrial emissions, vehicle exhaust, and agricultural stubble burning, poses severe health risks. The primary concern is PM2.5, microscopic particles that can penetrate deep into lung tissue and enter the bloodstream, potentially causing various ailments including:
– Respiratory diseases
– Heart disease
– Lung cancer
– Strokes
– Cognitive impairment in children
The situation is particularly hazardous for vulnerable populations, including children, infants, and the elderly, as winter temperatures and slow winds trap pollutants close to the ground.
