Dense toxic smog continues to choke plains of Punjab, particularly Lahore, causing deadly road crashes, skin allergies and other infections.
Resultantly, the Punjab government it may have to temporarily shut factories, particularly furnaces and brick kilns due to the persistent smell of the smog.
People have no option other than wearing masks to fight against the phenomenon caused by the combination of high level of pollutants in the air and calm wind.Breathing appeared somewhat heavy and though lessened there was eye, nose and throat irritation.
The Environment Protection Department (EPD) said though slowly sliding down, the level of pollution generated by mainly three sources was much beyond the human tolerance level. These included the incursion of carbon monoxide from India which was produced by the burning of nearly 32 tonnes of crop residue by its farmers, gases from the drains and waste material from hundreds of factories in northern and northeast Lahore.
Environmental experts are attributing the thick smog to growing air pollution, industrial emissions in particular, but images said to be from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration making rounds on social media show the colossal amount of toxic fumes are rolling into Pakistani atmosphere from Indian Punjab.
Farmers in Indian Punjab and Haryana have been setting fire to paddy stubble in their fields after harvesting the crop as part of the slash and burn. This is adding to the particulate matter which is unexpected to dissipate anytime soon.
According to the Pakistan Met Office, the smog will continue to remain a problem until the first rainfall of this winter, which again is unlikely until the end of this month. But chief meteorologist Muhammad Riaz says the smoggy weather condition may prevail in December too.
Read more: Lahore wakes up to hazardous pollution levels, reduced visibility due to smog
