Air pollution in parts of South Asia has spiked, choking northern India and adjoining Pakistan in a toxic haze ahead of Diwali.
India’s Supreme Court has allowed only low-polluting fireworks to be set off for three hours on Saturday and Sunday, as authorities worry the Hindu festival of light, which falls on 8 November this year, will further deteriorate air quality.
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.
Air pollution spikes in Pakistan and India ahead of Diwali
Lahore recorded the worst air quality of any city in the world on Tuesday as pre-winter smog settled over parts of northern India and adjoining Pakistan.
The air quality index (AQI) in the Pakistani city stood at 447 early on Tuesday, according to IQAir, a Swiss group that measures air quality levels based on the concentration of toxins. A reading of up to 50 on the index is considered good, with little or no health risk.
Lahore's PM2.5 concentration was 60 times higher than the World Health Organization's annual PM2.5 exposure guideline.
PM2.5 refers to particulate matter measuring 2.5 microns or less in diameter that can be carried into the lungs, risking deadly diseases and heart problems. A significant drop in temperatures and sluggish winds have affected air quality in Lahore, authorities said.
Delhi restricts polluting vehicles
In Delhi, authorities have imposed curbs to fight the toxic haze over the capital.
The graded pollution control measures took effect on Monday and include restrictions on polluting vehicles, construction activities, the use of coal and firewood in eateries, and boosting public transport services.
The AQI in Delhi was lower at 215. India's Central Pollution Control Board rated the capital city's air quality "very poor" with a higher AQI reading of 332.
The Swiss and Indian readings vary due to the different AQI scales and methodologies used to calculate and classify air pollution levels.
