Satellite Imagery Reveals Severe Smog Crisis Gripping Lahore

Smog typically begins subtly, initially detectable by a burning odor before becoming visible. Its intensity increases with falling temperatures, eventually forming a dense layer of smoke and fog that engulfs the city and its inhabitants. Exposure to this acrid air, particularly without a mask, can lead to immediate symptoms such as an itchy and sore throat, progressing to sneezing and coughing as conditions worsen. The health impacts are particularly severe for vulnerable groups, including children, the elderly, and individuals with pre-existing breathing difficulties, prompting hospitals to anticipate a surge in admissions. For a week, Lahore and its 13 million inhabitants have endured severe air pollution, with the air quality index (AQI) repeatedly exceeding 1,000 this month, a level significantly above the 300 mark considered hazardous. Pakistani authorities have urgently mobilized to address the crisis, which is of an unprecedented magnitude even for a city accustomed to annual smog during this period. Measures implemented include school closures, directives for workers to remain home, and advisories for residents to stay indoors, forming part of a “green lockdown.” This initiative has also prohibited motorbike rickshaws, heavy vehicles, and motorbike parking in designated high-pollution zones. Towards the end of the week, the Lahore High Court mandated that all markets throughout Punjab province must close by 20:00 daily, with full closures observed on Sundays. Additionally, parks and zoos have been ordered to remain shut until 17 November. Nasa scientist Pawan Gupta indicated that the issue is that pollution levels in the city “typically peak in late November and December.” He cautioned, “So this is just beginning. The worst pollution days are probably still ahead of us.” The extensive smoke covering Lahore, located in Pakistan’s Punjab province, is discernible from space, along with some of its contributing factors. Satellite imagery provided by the US space agency Nasa illustrates both the dense smog layer and numerous fire concentrations in the area spanning from the Indian capital, Delhi, to Lahore, Pakistan. A comparable image captured six weeks prior depicted clear skies and, significantly, a considerably lower number of fires. A primary contributor to the smog is the practice of stubble burning by farmers in both Pakistan and India following harvests, a method used to rapidly prepare fields for subsequent crops. This year, Nasa projects a count of “between 15,500 and 18,500 fires,” as stated by Hiren Jethva, a senior research scientist at Nasa’s Goddard Space Flight Center and Morgan State University, a figure exceeding that of most previous years. Pakistan’s environment protection authorities report that approximately 30% of Lahore’s smog originates from across the border in India. In response, the Indian government has this year increased fines twofold for farmers found engaging in stubble-burning, in an effort to mitigate the problem. Nevertheless, a significant portion of Lahore’s air pollution stems from the exhaust of its five million motorbikes and millions of other vehicles. On Friday, the Lahore High Court designated heavy traffic emissions as the principal cause of the smog, as reported by the Associated Press of Pakistan. Furthermore, industrial operations situated on the city’s periphery, such as coal-fired brick kilns, further exacerbate air pollution. During the year’s concluding months, these factors converge with cold air descending from Tibet, resulting in the smog currently blanketing the city. The detrimental health effects of the toxic air are evident. The US Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Air Quality Index (AQI) defines good air quality as a value of 50 or below, whereas a value exceeding 300 signifies hazardous conditions. World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines recommend that the average concentration of PM2.5 levels should remain below five. Abid Omar, who founded Pakistan’s Air Quality Initiative and gathers data from 143 air quality monitors nationwide, stated that Lahore’s readings “have hit beyond index on every day in November.” He further noted, “Some locations in Lahore have exceeded 1,000,” and added, “On Thursday we had one reading of 1,917 on the AQI scale.” By Tuesday, reports indicated that 900 individuals had been hospitalized in Lahore due to breathing difficulties. Dr. Irfan Malik, a pulmonologist at one of Lahore’s largest hospitals, observed, “More and more people are coming with complaints of asthma, itchy throats and coughing.” He has already witnessed a significant increase in patients presenting with respiratory tract illnesses, which he finds “particularly worrying because we have not yet seen our first cold wave of the winter season.” Lahore resident Sadia Kashif expressed ongoing apprehension regarding the hazard. She informed the BBC, “Like every mother, I want to see my children run and play without fearing pollution.” Kashif added, “I see my children struggle with coughs and breathing problems these days, and it is a painful reminder that our air has become extremely toxic.” However, she remained unconvinced by the current “green lockdown.” Kashif stated, “It is easy for the government to shut down school rather than taking real steps to address the crisis.” For an extended period, authorities have faced difficulties in identifying a definitive solution to Lahore’s pollution challenge. The government anticipates that immediate, short-term measures will offer some relief, but acknowledges that comprehensive, long-term solutions, such as enhancing public transport, will require considerable time. Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz declared this week her intention to contact her counterpart in Indian Punjab, proposing engagement in “climate diplomacy” given the issue’s impact on both regions. Delhi has indicated that it has not yet received communication from Pakistan regarding this matter. Nevertheless, Omar highlighted that air pollution constitutes a persistent problem rather than a seasonal one. He observed, “Lahore is much more polluted than Delhi with pollution episodes that last longer and reach higher peaks.” He further believes the situation is deteriorating, citing his data analysis which shows a 25% increase in pollution levels for October compared to the corresponding period last year. He contended that governments on both sides of the border must act promptly to address the issue. Omar asserted, “The roadmap to clean air is clear, but the present policies from both India and Pakistan aren’t enough to significantly reduce pollution.” This assessment has led him to be skeptical about immediate improvements. Omar concluded, “I tell people, blue skies are an indicator of good governance.”