Lahore’s Air Quality Deteriorates Post-Diwali Due to Transboundary Pollution

Following the Diwali festivities that illuminated Indian skies, pollution has surged across borders, severely affecting air quality in Punjab, Pakistan. Lahore now ranks as the second-most polluted city globally, just behind Delhi. The Punjab Environment Protection Department (EPD) reports that pollutants from Indian cities, combined with local emissions and stagnant winds, have led to an alarming spike in air pollution levels. This spike underscores the environmental hardships faced by South Asian urban areas during significant celebrations.

By Tuesday morning, Lahore's Air Quality Index (AQI) skyrocketed to 266, categorizing the air as extremely hazardous. In response to the surge in harmful particles, the Punjab government has implemented emergency protocols, deploying anti-smog equipment and conducting water sprays on main roads. To counteract worsening conditions, authorities established smog response units that cover construction sites, restrict vehicular movement, and enforce stricter controls on industrial emissions. Residents have been advised to wear masks and limit outdoor exposure as PM2.5 levels reached 187 µg/m³, significantly exceeding World Health Organization safety thresholds.

Officials in Lahore attribute the drastic drop in air quality to a mix of domestic and cross-border sources. Winds traveling at 4 to 7 km/h have carried pollutants from cities in northern India, including Amritsar and Ludhiana, contributing to the smog enveloping Lahore. Other areas in Punjab, such as Faisalabad and Gujranwala, are also facing air quality challenges. Provincial authorities, led by Maryam Nawaz, emphasize the importance of addressing cross-border pollution, urging residents to curb local emissions while actively monitoring incoming contaminants. Lahore’s ongoing air quality crisis serves as a vivid example of the potential impact that festivities in one nation can have on its neighbors.

This year’s Diwali celebrations in India, particularly in Delhi and Kolkata, saw extensive use of fireworks despite existing restrictions on “green crackers.” Many areas in Delhi recorded PM2.5 levels exceeding 248 µg/m³, with Kolkata reaching 203 µg/m³. The resulting pollution spread into Pakistan, aggravating an already critical smog situation. In an effort to tackle the crisis, Lahore authorities apprehended 83 individuals for illegal emissions linked to factories and waste burning as part of their anti-smog initiative. Citizens have been urged to limit outdoor engagement and utilize air purifiers whenever possible.

Experts indicate that cross-border pollution linked to major celebrations is becoming a recurring environmental issue in South Asia. Lahore's hazardous air has raised international alarm and stresses the urgent need for collaborative regional efforts in managing air quality. As the festivities fade, a heavy haze remains over both India and Pakistan, with residents facing the health consequences of pollution from celebratory activities. The air quality dilemma in Lahore emphasizes the broader necessity for sustainable festival traditions and a collective commitment among neighboring countries to lessen environmental repercussions.