The level of air pollutants in Lahore, Pakistan's second-largest city, is skyrocketing. Particle levels 40 times above the acceptable limit set by the World Health Organization (WHO) have been measured.
On Saturday, the highest value of 610 was recorded for hazardous small particles. Values above 15 over a 24-hour period are considered harmful to health by WHO.
Lahore has been shrouded in smog for several days: a mixture of fog, diesel exhaust, and smoke from agricultural burning.
This week, provincial authorities have taken a range of measures to reduce pollution if possible. Vehicles of the type Tuk-tuk with two-stroke engines have been banned, and restaurants without ventilation are no longer allowed to grill. Construction work has been paused, and street vendors cooking over open flames are forced to close at eight o'clock.
