Lahore’s pollution levels on Sunday finally witnessed some improvement with its air quality index (AQI) dropping out of the “hazardous” level after registering extremely high levels toxins in the atmosphere for weeks as thick smog kept the megapolis shrouded.
With an AQI of 295, — which is termed “very unhealthy” — the provincial capital today emerged as the second most polluted city in the world with India’s New Delhi topping Swiss group IQ Air’s ranking with an AQI of 751.
The city, home to its 14 million residents, has been facing the brunt of the worsening smog crisis that continues to engulf the province prompting authorities to take extraordinary measures to fight off smog.
The crisis hits the most populous province of the country every winter, but air pollution has worsened in the recent years, as a result of cold air trapping dust, low-grade diesel fumes and smoke from illegal stubble burning on fields.
