Lahore smog visible from space also
Satellite images from the US space agency NASA showed so much smog over Lahore and Multan this week
Smog has become so high in Pakistan that it has started to be visible from space. Due to heavy fog and smog, flight operations have been affected while motorways have also been closed for traffic at various places.
The deep and hazardous smog that has spread over eastern Pakistan and northern India since last month can also be clearly seen in satellite images.
Satellite images from the US space agency NASA showed so much smog over Lahore and Multan this week that roads and buildings were engulfed in it, and only white fog was visible in the images.
In the report of the American broadcaster CNN, a comparative analysis of two images of the same area was presented by NASA on August 31, and November 10 by tagging the location of Lahore and Delhi by satellite.
In the first satellite image shared by NASA, greenery is clearly visible on the ground in the areas of Delhi and Lahore, while in the second image, only fog is visible.
According to the United Nations, the health of 1.1 million children under the age of 5 in the most affected areas of Pakistan is at risk.
Most of the districts of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa remained in the grip of smog on Monday as well. Lahore was among the most polluted cities in the world and the country at night.
Four flights to Faisalabad and Multan were canceled, and two flights in Islamabad and flights to Lahore, Multan, and Faisalabad landed at eight alternative airports as flight operations to Lahore were affected by late-night fog.
A private airline flight from Karachi to Lahore and a private air flight from Dubai to Lahore also landed in Islamabad.
Motorway M4 from Pindi Bhatian to Abdul Hakeem Interchange, M5 from Sher Shah to Zahir Peer and Rohri have been closed for all traffic due to fog while Sialkot Motorway has also been closed due to fog and smog.
On the other hand, the decision to close shops, shopping malls, and markets in Lahore, Multan, Faisalabad, and Gujranwala at 8:00pm could not be fully implemented. Shops were sealed as action was taken against those who continued business did not follow the SOPs.
The government has also banned outdoor dining at restaurants, outdoor games, exhibitions, and events from November 11 to November 17. Medical stores, laboratories, petrol pumps and grocery stores will be exempted from the ban.
