Environmental emergency imposed in smog-hit Lahore

Environmental emergency has been imposed in smog-hit Lahore!

On Tuesday, the Punjab government imposed an environmental emergency in Lahore amid smog and worsening air quality situation.

The walled city has been declared calamity-hit reign.

Punjab Chief Minister Pervez Elahi addressing a news conference said that an emergency had been imposed in the city and instructed authorities to chalk out a plan to combat the worsening situation.

“A ban has also been imposed on the burning of crop residues across the province,” Elahi said.

CM Punjab also warned that a strict action will be taken against those violating the orders.

The chief minister said modern harvesters would be provided to farmers in a bid to prevent them from stubble burning, while brick kilns will be transferred to zigzag technology.

He went on to add that anti-smog squads will be checking vehicles in the city emitting smoke and actions will be taken against them.

“This campaign will last for three months,” CM Punjab Pervez Elahi added.

Meanwhile, the Lahore High Court (LHC) on Tuesday ordered schools to observe three holidays in a week due to worsening situation of smog.

The court also ordered the Punjab government to submit the notification regarding the three leaves on Wednesday.

Furthermore, the court also ordered the Lahore deputy commissioner to appear in person on Wednesday.

Later, the court adjourned the hearing till Wednesday.

Punjab School Education Department issues guidelines amid the worsening situation of smog:

Punjab School Education Department has issued guidelines amid the worsening situation of smog.

As per instructions, wearing of masks has been made mandatory for students and teachers on the school premises.

Moreover, the wearing of glasses in the classroom and a ban has been imposed on eye rubbing in the classrooms.

Outdoor activities have been restricted on the school premises while sprinkling of water has been made mandatory.

On the other hand, a ban has been imposed on burning of any material within the boundary of schools.

Lahore ranks as the fifth most polluted city in the world:

According to iqair.com, a website that monitors air quality across the globe, Lahore ranks as the fifth most polluted city in the world.

The air quality levels of Lahore have been deteriorating to hazardous levels.

At 5:30pm on Tuesday, the air quality of the city on the AQI (air quality index) was noted to be 184.