Lahore – October 21, 2025
The Punjab government on Monday warned that smog levels are expected to worsen across Lahore and other parts of the province due to a dangerous mix of local pollutants and cross-border emissions carried by low-speed winds from India, following Diwali celebrations.
The provincial capital already ranks as one of the most polluted cities in the world, according to real-time data from IQAir. As of 8:00 PM Monday, Lahore’s Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at a very unhealthy 182, placing it just behind Kolkata (203) and New Delhi (213).
According to environmental authorities, smoke from fireworks and crop residue burning in Indian Punjab is being pushed westward due to wind patterns, compounding Punjab’s existing air quality crisis caused by vehicular emissions, industrial output, and construction dust.
Besides local pollutants, winds blowing from India are also likely to play a role in worsening the situation over the week.https://t.co/PixtTTZ19H
— Dawn.com (@dawn_com) October 21, 2025
To counter the rising pollution levels, the Punjab government has deployed anti-smog guns and water sprinklers across major urban areas, including Lahore. These machines spray fine mists of water to help settle PM2.5 particles, the microscopic pollutants that pose serious health risks when inhaled.
Officials have advised citizens to limit outdoor activity, especially during early morning and evening hours when smog concentration peaks, and to wear masks when stepping outside.
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A spokesperson from the Punjab Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) said that Section 144 remains in place, restricting outdoor gatherings in high-risk areas, and strict action is being taken against those violating anti-smog protocols.
Experts warn that if no immediate mitigation measures are taken, the region may face another health emergency similar to previous years, with rising cases of respiratory illness, eye infections, and asthma.
