LAHORE: The air quality index indicates improvement in the smoggy conditions in different Punjab towns as the government says that artificial rain and change in the direction of easterly winds helped a lot in this respect.

The AQI level in Lahore was recorded at 297 at 11pm on Sunday while Multan posted 230. The Met office says a north-westerly wave helped reduce the level of smog, while Punjab Environment Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb says the experiment of artificial rain conducted in Chakwal and Jhelum areas the other day was another positive factor.

She said in a statement that the Detox Punjab campaign helped in improving the smoggy conditions in Rawalpindi and other towns, while a forceful operation was going on to protect Lahore from smog.

Ban on diesel-run large vehicles and smoke-emitting transport and brick kilns would continue, she added.

She urged the people to play their role in improving the conditions by not leaving their homes unnecessarily and wearing masks if they had to.

The environment department has issued a notification extending the restrictions on schools, markets and recreational facilities like parks and museums as well as making at least 50 per cent staff to work from home up to Nov 24. It has also banned display of fireworks in Punjab by Jan 31, 2025.

Meanwhile, fog and smog continued to affect flight schedules as two flights were cancelled and 35 delayed in Lahore, Sialkot and Faisalabad.

According to reports, the flight FZ-392 from Faisalabad to Dubai and flight EK-618 of a foreign airline from Dubai to Sialkot have been canceled while flight PK-411 from Lahore to Dubai has been diverted to Islamabad.

Two flights from Riyadh to Lahore XY-317 and -318 were delayed by seven hours, two flights from Karachi to Lahore by one to three hours, while the departure of PIA flight PK-797 from Lahore to Toronto was delayed by seven hours. Flights from Sharjah, Doha, Abu Dhabi and Dubai to Sialkot were also delayed.

The Met office has forecast mainly dry and cold weather in most of the country for the next week.

Smog and fog are likely to prevail over plains of Punjab.

Published in Dawn, November 18th, 2024