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‘Ecological apocalypse’ — Lahoris are breathless and angry as smog casts heavy veil over the city

There is just no winning for Lahore, unless it's topping the charts for the worst air quality EVER.
04 Nov, 2024

Lahore is number one! — at having the worst air quality in the world. Jokes aside, the smog situation in Pakistan’s second-largest city is not only deteriorating the air quality but also severely impacting people’s health.

For days, Lahore’s 14 million people have been enveloped by smog — a mix of fog and pollutants caused by low-grade diesel fumes, smoke from seasonal agricultural burning, and winter cooling. Primary schools have been shut down for a week, travelling is dangerous, and the very act of breathing is hazardous.

According to Dawn, the air quality index (AQI), which measures a range of pollutants, exceeded 1,000 on Saturday — well above the level of 300 which is considered “dangerous” — according to data from IQAir.

The Punjab government also recorded peaks of over 1,000 on Sunday, which it considered “unprecedented”.

Photographer and content creator Mohammad Wasif flew his drone over Lahore one morning, and the outcome was bleak, to say the least — the entire city was submerged in a thick blanket of grey haze, the bright red of the Badshahi Mosque barely visible.

“How can we breathe in such air quality?” Wasif questioned in his caption.

RIP Lungs

Needless to say, Lahoris aren’t too happy about the situation. Content creator Nadir Shah posted a video about returning to Lahore and breathing it all in. The video cuts to him splayed out on the ground.

Abdul Rehman Kashmiri pretends to beat up a Lahori after they say the iconic “Lahore Lahore ayy” (Lahore is Lahore) despite the terrible air quality.

Many X (formerly Twitter) users highlighted the adverse impact of the smog on their health, with one very eloquently stating that the people of Lahore were “so cooked”. (For those who aren’t chronically online, this means they’re doomed).

“Sore throat, burning eyes and stifling air — Lahore’s air quality has plummeted to some of the worst levels globally. The thick, smoky haze hangs over the city, making it feel increasingly unlivable.”

Another netizen highlighted that her lingering headache was returning, “Hello, Lahore smog. Just when we hoped we might get a little more time without you.” Meanwhile, another X user reached Lahore from Islamabad and “immediately felt an assault of gross smoke” that was more severe than the usual smog.

Worsening health conditions caused by smog aren’t new for Lahoris. A tweet from 2021 read, “Once again a rich vein of pristine phlegm at the back of my throat heralds the arrival of smog season.”

Even former cricketer Mohammad Hafeez chimed in about the plethora of health concerns faced by the city, like viral infections, smog and dengue fever.

What’s the govt doing?

Several people criticised the Maryam Nawaz-led Punjab government for failing to take action against the smog, while others called for tangible action to combat the issue. One user questioned why the government could not take any “practical step[s] like limiting vehicle usage at certain times, making air purifier zones and cloud seeding or artificial rain?”

Activist Ammar Ali Jan called the situation an “ecological apocalypse”, adding that cities in Pakistan only worked for “land mafias, car/oil companies and corrupt bureaucrats”.

“Only those who can afford air-purifiers can survive. Privatisation of clean air! Absolutely criminal and insane,” he wrote.

Another netizen questioned what Maryam and the deputy commissioner of Lahore were doing, highlighting that it was increasingly difficult for citizens to breathe.

“Citizens are looking at you. When will you take any action to lessen the intensity?”

People called on the provincial government to do more than “lip service, dashboards and TV advertisements”, while others called for an immediate “smart lockdown” to save people from the “biohazard” caused by the smog.

A non-Lahori, in town to attend a family wedding, described how horrendous it was to deal with smog for the first time — “everyone has a bad throat, eyes are burning and breathing problem”.

They maintained that the government did not have a plan to combat the issue, “while Lahoris’ average lifespan is shortening with each year”.

Keep calm and meme on

However, as with any calamity in Pakistan, internet users were on point with their meme game, not letting the lack of fresh air in Lahore stop them in any way.

One user highlighted that after the smog, Lahore would make a good zombie apocalypse movie, while another questioned if something could “suck the smog out of Lahore” because they didn’t feel very “Lahore Lahore ayy”.

Another X user said smog in Karachi was cleared by the sea breeze and smog in Islamabad by the rain, while Lahoris were left at a loss, using an iconic gif of racer Lewis Hamilton looking immensely confused to depict what we’re sure all Lahoris feel.

Precautions, precautions, precautions

The smog has reportedly affected millions, leaving them with symptoms such as cough, difficulties in breathing, eye irritation and headaches. Experts have raised alarm over the deteriorating air quality in the city, which they claim leads to life-altering problems like depression and impacts the growth of the children.

It, therefore, becomes extremely important for the people living in and around Lahore to take adequate precautionary measures.

It’s important for those living in smoggy conditions to wear a proper N95 mask that covers their mouth and nose when stepping outside. You should avoid smoking altogether — please don’t contribute more to the smog and worsen your lungs — and instead opt for hot drinks and lots of water. Wash your hands and face after you return indoors, and limit excessive time outdoors.

Be a good citizen and try to carpool or use public transport to travel, avoid burning wood and trash — obviously — and seal the vents of your home with masking tape or place moist towels under doors and windows. Lastly, if you can afford to, use air purifiers in your homes.

Stay safe, and don’t forget — smog or no smog, Lahore Lahore ayy.

Comments

Ahmed Nov 04, 2024 03:57pm
These concerned intellectuals like Ammar should've spoken 5 years ago. After all they understand these things better than most. These posts serve no purpose.
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Arshad Ali Nov 04, 2024 05:06pm
If they were so much concerned, stop using gas guzzling vehicles.
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Taj Ahmad Nov 04, 2024 05:52pm
Smogs is a serious issue both in Lahore and New Delhi and both countries, India and Pakistan must work together and resolved it as soon as possible. Please stop burning garbage instead dumb it properly also drive less and walk more to eliminate gasoline burning and that brings smoke in the air. Please no more fire works during happy dewali or independence days to avoid more smoke or smog in the air, also plants more trees in the country and quit smoking as well, remember our health first before anything things. Thanks to all.
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Laila Nov 04, 2024 06:00pm
As I dont venture out much I am less effected. Those who work have to go out, so reusable and washable masks and sunglasses are used. Same for kids. Many cant afford even that. I am especially concerned with those who are homeless and just camped out along roadsides etc. Lahoris knew this for ages. Too late to act surprised. But hopefully not too late to change it.
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Jamil Soomro Nov 04, 2024 06:51pm
If this dangerous smog is not checked now on emergency basis by the Punjab Govt. then people of Lahore would face serious health issues and life expectancy would certainly go down.
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Abbie Nov 05, 2024 05:50am
Despite all the fuss caused by smog, my neighbors burn their trash every night, making my eyes, nose, and throat sore. Due to ignorance, we are making a vicious cycle for each other
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Bingo Nov 05, 2024 06:43am
Feeling bad for Lahoris. No one deserve bad air. Why no root cause mentioned in this article? Is it due to stubble burning?
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Laila Nov 05, 2024 06:58pm
@Jamil Soomro These health problems already exist. Pollution and smog have been ongoing. Lahoris have no concept of environment. Simple thing like discarding your trash ok the bin is unknown to most. Parks and public places litter with metal cans, plastic all of which are not biodegradable. Too many cars paired with the dangerous smoke from rickshaws and ching chis are important factors. When you go out and come home your clothes carry visible dust on them. I can't speak for the affluent areas like DHA etc. But in city centre and most congested central points it's a mess. There is a reason we haven't been able to curb something like Hepatitis, Dengue etc. The politicians have no interest in resolving this either. They sit comfortably in their mansions and drive their AC cars.
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