According to data released by provincial government, the smog situation in Punjab is set to get worse in the coming weeks. However things are expected to improve after November 10.
On Monday the air quality index (AQI) in Lahore ranged between 143 and 210. The reading for other cities was even more alarming: for Faisalabad it was 295, Bahawalpur 261 and for Multan 216.
On Monday, Shenyang (China) AQI ranged between 180 and 200 and New Dehli between 180 and 200.
According to experts, the smog situation depends on two factors: the pace of stubble burning on the Pakistan side of the Punjab border and the wind direction from the Indian side.
At present the wind is carrying smog from Pakistan to India, but it could change in days to come and start blowing the other way round. Currently, stubble burning is banned in India.
The Punjab government has been quick to act and already has launched a crackdown on smoke-emitting vehicles and is trying to reduce the number of vehicles on roads by staggering the timing of pick and drop in public sector educational institutions.
Brick kilns using the old technology will be closed from November 7 to December 31. The closure could be prolonged if the need arises.
