New school schedules apply in Lahore from today

Due to poor air quality, authorities have introduced changes to school schedules across Lahore. From today, government schools will open at 8:45 a.m. and morning gatherings will be held indoors to minimize exposure to toxic air.

On October 23, the Punjab Environment Protection Department issued instructions to relevant agencies to implement urgent measures in response to the rising air pollution levels. The government announced changes to school hours to protect children and the elderly from the harmful effects of smog.

According to the instructions, all outdoor activities were to be suspended to limit children’s exposure to polluted air. Authorities urged the public to adopt protective measures, including wearing masks and monitoring AQI levels daily through the Department of Environmental Protection’s app.

To further address rising pollution, officials are preparing to produce artificial rain in hopes of clearing the atmosphere of smog.

Pollution levels in Lahore have reached dangerous levels, making the city the most polluted in the world, with the overall air quality index (AQI) crossing 530 on Monday morning.

According to the latest data, polluted winds from neighboring India have worsened the air quality in the city, creating unsafe breathing conditions for its residents. In some areas, AQI levels rose above 800, with Gulberg recording a record AQI of 818.

The impact of smog extends beyond schools to air travel in Lahore. On a recent private flight from Karachi to Lahore, there was smog in the back of the plane at an altitude of up to 1,500 meters. When the plane descended to an altitude of 300 meters, its crew reported increased levels of smog in the cabin.

The crew then informed the captain of passengers’ complaints about smog, prompting the captain to forgo the regular jet bridge and instead disembark the plane by hand ladders after parking the plane on the runway.

As air pollution in Lahore has reached critical levels, health experts are urging residents to wear masks outdoors and limit exposure as much as possible until conditions improve.