Smog levels in Lahore dropped after heavy rain
According to the details garnered, Lahore received the much awaited first rain of winter season today. The heavy showers in Lahore helped dissipate prevailing smoggy conditions in the plain areas and protect the citizens from seasonal health hazards and allergies caused due to the prolonged dry spell.
The drizzle started on Sunday morning noon and intensified at scattered places of the city and turned the weather cold through dipping the mercury.
The first winter rain compelled the citizens to take out woolies, blankets, quilts and other accessories to keep them warm and prevent themselves from the seasonal diseases especially cough and influenza while taking extra measures in wake of Covid-19 pandemic.
The citizens have started enjoying the popular delights like chicken corn soup, doodh jalebi, gajar ka halwa, kashmiri tea, samosas, pakoras, fried fish and dry fruits. The demand for warm clothes has also registered a significant increase after the winter first rain spell by the weather experts.
Rain was also reported from twin cities, Murree, Galyat, Bhakkar, Okara, Dera Ghazi Khan, Jahanian, Sahiwal, Narowal, Shujabad, Vehari, Gago Mandi and their adjacent areas.
Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has more rain-thunderstorm (with snowfall over hills) in Islamabad, upper/central Punjab, Gilgit-Baltistan, Kashmir and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
While, partly cloudy weather with light rain is also expected at few places in South Punjab. The Met Office has predicted more rain in different parts of the country during next 24 hours.
Worst in terms of air quality
This week has been the worst in terms of air quality with smog levels going as far as 700 in some areas and the average being above 400.
On Friday, a private air quality device located near the US Consulate had reported smog level of 441 on the US AQI (Air Quality Index), while on Saturday it was roughly the same at 408.
Upper Mall recorded smog level of 307, Cantt 364, Lahore American School 299, Forman Christian College University 403 and Gulberg 266 – all readings declared ‘hazardous’ and ‘very unhealthy’.
Other cities of Punjab also reported dismal data. Real-time ranking showed Faisalabad at the top with 438, Gujranwala 413, Multan 376, Muridke 353, Raiwind 308 and Islamabad and Rawalpindi 155.
