Suffocating Under the Grip of Pollution: South Asia's Latest Megacity to Shut Down

Lahore, one of South Asia's thriving megacities, has joined the list of urban areas to take drastic measures amidst a severe pollution crisis. Approximately 50 million residents in the region have been enduring toxic air for nearly a week. As Pakistan's second most populous city with over 13 million inhabitants, Lahore has responded by implementing a series of shutdown measures. Schools, public parks, malls, and offices have been closed due to the air quality index (AQI) surpassing 400 this week, marking it as "hazardous" according to IQAir, a renowned Swiss air tracking company.

Authorities in Punjab province in Pakistan have declared an "environmental and health emergency" in three cities - Gujranwala, Hafizabad, and Lahore - until conditions improve, according to the province's chief minister, Mohsin Naqvi. These three cities have a collective population of over 15 million people. As per a statement released by Naqvi's office on Tuesday, there will be restrictions on the movement of individuals to and from these areas using both public and private transport.

Commuters make their way through a busy street amid smoggy conditions in Lahore on November 7, 2023.

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Naqvis government has also restricted the gathering of more than four people in one place.

The pollution levels in Pakistan have surged following a similar incident in neighboring India, where smog engulfed the city of New Delhi last week. The colder temperatures trapped pollution particles, resulting in a hazardous haze.

Yamuna river covered with a thick layer of toxic foam due to water pollution near Kalindi Kunj, on September 10, 2023 in New Delhi, India.

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A sacred river near New Delhi is now enveloped in toxic foam as the Indian capital struggles with hazardous pollution. Each year, as the winter harvest comes to a close, millions of farmers burn their remaining rice stubble to make way for the upcoming wheat crop. In combination with pollution from vehicles and industries, this practice has resulted in immense smog across Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, and New Delhi in northern India.

The Supreme Court of India has directed the authorities in the states adjacent to New Delhi to put a stop to the practice of farmers burning residual crops. Additionally, the court has implemented a nationwide ban on the usage of firecrackers ahead of the approaching Diwali festival this weekend. Despite previous orders on the matter, the impact has been limited.

Kolkata and Mumbai, along with other significant Indian cities, were also featured on IQAir's recently published list of the world's 20 most polluted cities. The pollution levels in these cities have been oscillating between "hazardous" and "unhealthy." Local authorities have been swift in adopting various measures to combat this issue, including vehicle restrictions, pavement sprinkling, and a ban on non-essential construction to mitigate the dust.

The Akshardham temple is seen amid heavy smog conditions in New Delhi on November 9, 2023.

Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, with a population exceeding 10 million, appeared on IQAir's list of highly polluted cities. On Friday, the city recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 222, a level classified as "very unhealthy" by the company.

The PM2.5 levels in these cities greatly exceed the limit set by the World Health Organization, highlighting a growing worry for South Asian countries as they undergo rapid industrialization and population growth that contribute to rising pollution levels. PM 2.5 particles consist of harmful pollutants like sulfates, nitrates, and black carbon, which can negatively impact cognitive and immune functions of individuals exposed to them. Additionally, they are associated with respiratory and cardiovascular problems.

Environment groups and policy makers have consistently advocated for more efficient strategies to address population growth, asserting that existing approaches like transport limitations and construction suspensions yield minimal long-term impact.

Certain regions of India are already witnessing the visible consequences of deteriorating air quality.

Commuters make their way along the Signature Bridge amid heavy smog conditions in New Delhi on November 9, 2023.

A 2021 study conducted by the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago (EPIC) reveals that Delhi residents may face a potential reduction in their life expectancy of up to nine years due to poor air quality.

In India, all 1.4 billion residents experience pollution levels that surpass the guidelines established by the World Health Organization, according to the study. Doctors in the Indian capital have noticed a rise in pollution-related ailments, with patients expressing concerns about cough, throat irritation, difficulty breathing, skin issues, and more.

CNNs Sophia Saifi contributed reporting from Islamabad.