The annual pollution surge across South Asia is intensified as dropping temperatures and stagnant winds trap heavy emissions from vehicles, construction projects, and crop stubble fires. Lahore registered as the world's most polluted city with fine particulate levels soaring to 60 times international guidelines, while Delhi recorded air quality in the very poor category. To counter the hazardous haze, Indian authorities enacted graded restrictions on vehicles, construction, and eateries, while reinforcing public transit options. Pakistani officials have also targeted non-compliant brick kilns and pushed farmers to halt residue burning.
Key points
Cold and dense seasonal air continues to trap dangerous agricultural and urban emissions…: Cold and dense seasonal air continues to trap dangerous agricultural and urban emissions across northern South Asia.
Government agencies across India and Pakistan are enforcing strict industrial penalties a…: Government agencies across India and Pakistan are enforcing strict industrial penalties and emergency curbs on fuel usage.
India's Supreme Court restricted upcoming Deepavali festivities to low-polluting firework…: India's Supreme Court restricted upcoming Deepavali festivities to low-polluting fireworks during designated three-hour periods over the weekend.
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Air pollution becomes a severe problem for the region around this time of the year when cold, dense air traps emissions, pushing pollution levels to the highest in the world and exposing residents to serious respiratory risks.
NEW DELHI/LAHORE: Air quality deteriorated sharply in parts of northern India and adjoining Pakistan on Tuesday (Nov 3), with the onset of pre-winter smog making Lahore the world's most polluted city and authorities in Delhi imposing curbs to fight the toxic haze over the capital.
Air pollution becomes a severe problem for the region around this time of the year when cold, dense air traps emissions from vehicles, construction sites and crop waste burning, pushing pollution levels to the highest in the world and exposing residents to serious respiratory risks.
Fireworks during the Hindu festival of Deepavali, which falls on Nov 8 this year, worsen the pollution in India.
Early on Tuesday, the air quality index (AQI) in Lahore stood at 447, according to IQAir, a Swiss group that measures air quality levels based on the concentration of toxins. An AQI reading of…
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