Unprecedented air pollution in the Pakistani city of Lahore has forced authorities to close all primary schools for a week.
As part of the “green lockdown” plan, 50% of office workers will also work from home from Monday. Other measures include a ban on engine-driven rickshaws and vendors grilling without filters.
“This smog is very harmful to children and the wearing of masks should be made compulsory in schools,” said Punjab Senior Minister Mariyum Aurangzeb.
Lahore, Pakistan’s second largest city, topped the list of the world’s most air-polluted cities for the second time on Sunday.
The air quality index, which measures a range of pollutants, exceeded 1,000 on Saturday, well above the 300 benchmark considered “hazardous” by the World Health Organization, according to IQAir.
Levels of fine aerosols in the air, which are the most harmful to health, have also soared to dangerous levels.
Senior environment official Raja Jehangir Anwar said the “biggest headache” causing the smog was the practice of burning crop waste, known as stubble, across India’s borders.
Aurangzeb said the smoke was “carried into Pakistan by strong winds”.
“This issue cannot be resolved without negotiations with India,” she said, adding that the provincial government would initiate such discussions through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The government urges people to stay indoors and avoid unnecessary travel.
Vehicles equipped with pumps are spraying water into the air to help control smoke levels. Construction work has been halted in some areas.
The situation will be assessed again next Saturday to determine whether schools should remain closed.
The World Health Organization says breathing in toxic air can have catastrophic health consequences, including stroke, heart disease, lung cancer and some respiratory diseases.
Last month students were No outdoor allowed The campaign runs until January, and school times have been adjusted to prevent children from traveling when pollution levels are at their highest.
“As a mother, I’m full of anxiety,” Lilly Mirza, 42, told AFP.
“Last year wasn’t that bad… Someone needs to tell us what happened. Did a pollution bomb go off somewhere?”
The smog crisis is worse in winter, when cold, dense air traps pollutants closer to the ground.
