Pakistan Air Pollution: NASA Images Show Black Smog Blanketing Lahore With AQI Above 600

Lahore: Air pollution levels in Lahore have soared to unprecedented heights, with the city's air quality easily crossing the World Health Organisation's (WHO) recommended safe limit, sparking public concern and health warnings.

In this regard, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has shared images of the black smog prevailing in the atmosphere of Lahore putting the health of 11 million children in Pakistan 's eastern Punjab province at risk. 

The UN children's agency on Monday warned that the health of 11 million children in Pakistan's eastern Punjab province is in danger because of air pollution that experts say has become a fifth season in recent years.

Health of 11 Million Children At Risk In Pakistan 

Toxic smog has shrouded Pakistan's cultural capital of Lahore and 17 other districts in Punjab since last month. Health officials say more than 40,000 people have been treated for respiratory ailments.

UNICEF's representative in Pakistan, Abdullah Fadil has urged the government to make urgent and greater efforts to reduce air pollution for the 11 million affected children under the age of 5 and others.

(Black Smog prevailing in Lahore/ Image:X)

“Prior to these record-breaking levels of air pollution, about 12 per cent of deaths in children under 5 in Pakistan were due to air pollution," Fadil said.

"The impact of this year's extraordinary smog will take time to assess, but we know that doubling and tripling the amount of pollution in the air will have devastating effects, particularly on children and pregnant women.”

Schools Shut In Parts of Pakistan Till November 17 Due To Poor Air Quality

In response to severe air pollution, Pakistan has closed schools in parts of Punjab until November 17 to safeguard children's health. On Friday, authorities also announced the closure of all parks and museums for 10 days and advised people to avoid unnecessary travel.

The Environmental Protection Department in Punjab reported that Multan was the most polluted city on Monday, with air quality index levels reaching around 800—far above the hazardous threshold of 300. Although the government has made wearing face masks mandatory, many people have been ignoring this measure. Additionally, officials are exploring options to induce artificial rainfall to help alleviate the pollution.