The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued a smog advisory, warning of increased smog levels across several cities in Pakistan during November and December.
According to the advisory, smog is expected to significantly affect cities such as Lahore, Faisalabad, Multan, Bahawalpur, Peshawar, Nowshera, and Mardan, with peak levels anticipated during the morning and evening hours.
The NDMA has urged citizens to take precautions by limiting unnecessary travel and wearing masks to reduce exposure to harmful air pollutants. Authorities are closely monitoring air quality levels and implementing measures to manage the smog, which worsens during Pakistan’s winter months due to seasonal weather patterns and high pollution levels.
In Islamabad, the Air Quality Index (AQI) has reached an alarming 268, exceeding the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommended air quality guidelines by 38.7%. Authorities are advising individuals with respiratory conditions to wear masks to protect themselves from the hazardous air quality.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast dry weather for Islamabad and surrounding areas, with the possibility of smog and fog settling over the city. In Punjab, fog and smog are expected during the mornings and evenings in cities like Lahore, Kasur, Okara, Sialkot, Hafizabad, and Toba Tek Singh, as well as in Jhang, Narowal, Attock, Jhelum, Chakwal, Mangla, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Sargodha, Sheikhupura, and Faisalabad.
South Punjab, including Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Multan, Layyah, Bhakkar, Khanewal, Khanpur, Rahim Yar Khan, and Dera Ghazi Khan, will also experience smog. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa cities like Peshawar, Nowshera, Mardan, Swabi, Kohat, Bannu, Lakki Marwat, and Dera Ismail Khan are expected to face similar conditions.
In Sindh, the regions of Sukkur, Larkana, Kashmore, and Khairpur are forecasted to experience foggy weather. Meanwhile, the hilly areas of Balochistan are likely to experience cold weather during the mornings and evenings.
