Lahore's AQI soars over 1900, hospitals flooded with 15,000 patients in 24 hours

Lahore, once celebrated as the "City of Gardens," has now tragically earned the title of the most polluted city in the world. With the Air Quality Index (AQI) crossing a staggering 1,900 on November 10 in parts of Punjab, the city faces an escalating health and environmental crisis. Hospitals are overwhelmed, with over 15,000 patients admitted in the past 24 hours alone due to respiratory issues like asthma, shortness of breath, pneumonia, and chest infections.

According to reports, Lahore's smog problem stems from vehicle emissions, construction dust, and industrial pollution. Experts warn that the city’s residents, especially children, asthma patients, and those with heart conditions, are at severe risk if immediate interventions are not undertaken. Pakistani medical expert Ashraf Zia has urged residents to stay indoors, wear masks, and use air purifiers.

Government hospitals are bearing the brunt of the crisis. Over 4,000 patients have sought treatment at Mayo Hospital, 3,500 at Jinnah Hospital, 3,000 at Gangaram Hospital, and more than 2,000 at Children’s Hospital. The unprecedented influx has stretched medical resources thin. While the AQI marginally dropped to 604 on November 12, the situation remains highly critical, demanding urgent action from authorities.

To combat the crisis, Pakistan has implemented drastic measures, including a three-month ban on weddings to curb vehicular and event-related pollution. Schools have also been closed to shield children from the hazardous air. Despite these steps, health experts stress that long-term solutions, such as reducing vehicle numbers and industrial emissions, are vital to reversing the trend.

NASA's Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectro Radiometer (MODIS) has documented the smog blanket engulfing northern Pakistan since early November. The satellite imagery highlights the severity of the pollution, underscoring the need for regional cooperation and comprehensive environmental policies.

The once-vibrant Lahore is now choking under a toxic haze, its green heritage overshadowed by industrial and urban emissions. While immediate precautions can reduce individual exposure, collective efforts from both residents and the administration are crucial to improving Lahore’s air quality and safeguarding public health.