Over the weekend, the provincial capital of Lahore, the second most populated city in the country, experienced a welcome respite from smog and high air pollution levels. Rain showers played a crucial role in clearing the air, providing relief to residents. On Saturday, the Meteorological Office forecasted dry weather for most districts of the province, with partly sunny conditions prevailing.
A recent advisory from the Met Office highlighted the likelihood of fog in various regions during night hours, including Lahore, Sialkot, Sheikhupura, Narowal, Hafizabad, Sargodha, Okara, Sahiwal, Mandi Bahauddin, Faisalabad, Multan, Bahawalpur, DG Khan, and other areas in Punjab.
The recorded temperature in Lahore stood at 24°C, accompanied by 6 km/h winds. Prevailing atmospheric conditions were further underscored by a maximum UV Index of 4 (moderate) and visibility limited to around 2 km.
Despite the rain, concerns lingered over the city’s air quality, with a recorded index exceeding 123, categorizing it as unhealthy. An advisory suggested that sensitive groups should immediately avoid outdoor activities, while healthy individuals might experience difficulty breathing and throat irritation. The recommendation urged individuals to stay indoors and consider rescheduling outdoor activities.
In various parts of Pakistan, continental air is expected to prevail, resulting in mainly dry weather. Cold conditions are anticipated in upper regions, with the likelihood of fog in plain areas of Punjab, upper Sindh, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa during night hours.
