Translated material
Asia is shrouded in toxic smog
Pakistan and India are shrouded in thick, toxic smog that can be seen from space.
NASA satellite images and IQ Air data show that air pollution levels in these countries are critical. Pakistani authorities had to close schools and public places, CNN writes .
NASA Worldview satellite images show a thick gray cloud covering Pakistan's Punjab province and stretching east into India through its capital New Delhi. AFP photographers also published images taken on November 9 and 10 in the Pakistani cities of Lahore and Multan - due to gray smoke, the outlines of people and buildings are barely visible.
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Every year, with the onset of cold weather, air quality deteriorates in major cities in South Asia. This is due to farmers burning agricultural waste, coal-fired power plants and exhaust emissions. Moreover, the authorities of these countries have not yet taken effective measures to solve the problems with toxic smog.
Authorities in Pakistan's second largest city Lahore called the current season "unprecedented." According to the IQ Air rating as of November 11, the air quality index (AQI) there exceeded 1200. Indicators above 300 are considered hazardous to human health.
The air quality index in parts of Punjab, Pakistan's most populous province with a population of 127 million, exceeded 1,000 several times over the past week. Measures of the most dangerous air pollutant - PM2.5 - were 110 times higher than the safe level set by the World Health Organization. health care organization.
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Pakistan's hospitals and clinics are currently overcrowded with residents suffering from the effects of air pollution. On November 10, the country's environmental protection agency said there was an "unprecedented increase in the number of patients with pulmonary and respiratory diseases, allergies, eye and throat irritations" in the districts of Faisalabad, Multan and Gujranwala, where average air quality levels were found to be "alarmingly hazardous."
Due to the current situation, local authorities have decided to temporarily close schools, government offices, parks, museums, zoos and historical sites. The new restrictions also apply to sporting events, exhibitions and outdoor dining at restaurants.
Last week, Punjab officials sent a letter to the Indian government asking them to open a dialogue on the issue.
According to WHO, indoor and outdoor air pollution is a factor in the premature death of 6.7 million people worldwide. Scientists warn that the climate crisis will only worsen the problem of air pollution.
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