Pakistan chokes with alarming levels of pollution as AQI crosses 2100; Multan under lockdown
A high alert was issued after Multan, largest city in Pakistan’s Punjab province recorded an abnormally high Air Quality Index (AQI) reading of over 2,000, reported Dawn.
Parks, museums and schools across Punjab were declared to be closed until November 17 to deal with unprecedented and dangerous levels of pollution.
The city of Multan in Pakistan experienced extremely hazardous air pollution on Friday, according to reports. The AQI reached a staggering 2,135 in the early hours, as measured by Swiss air quality monitor IQAir. This reading signifies dangerous levels of pollution, far exceeding the World Health Organization’s (WHO) safe limit.
The primary pollutant, PM2.5, a harmful fine particulate matter, reached 947 micrograms per cubic meter. This level is nearly 190 times above the WHO’s recommended safe limit.
“WHO guidelines consider anything over 5 micrograms hazardous.”
While the AQI decreased to 980 by Friday evening, it remained significantly above the “hazardous” threshold of 300. Local monitoring stations across Multan, including WWF-Pakistan, Shamsabad Colony, and Multan Cantonment, recorded similarly alarming AQI readings.
The heavy smog also impacted nearby areas like Bahawalpur, Muzaffargarh, and Khanewal, reducing road visibility. Multan’s Nishtar Hospital prepared for potential health issues by setting up special smog treatment counters.
To combat the dangerous pollution levels, Multan’s Deputy Commissioner Waseem Hamid Sindhu implemented a “smart lockdown.” This measure mandated markets to close by 8 p.m. and authorized traffic police to take action against vehicles producing excessive smoke. Authorities also targeted illegal activities contributing to the smog, such as stubble burning, waste fires, and the operation of brick kilns without approved technology.
Despite these efforts, residents reported that the restrictions were not being consistently followed, highlighting the challenges in mitigating the severe air pollution crisis.
