Twin cities brace for smog | The Express Tribune

RAWALPINDI:

The smog season has begun and will continue until January 15, with the air quality index deteriorating across the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad and other parts of Punjab, raising concerns about the spread of diseases.

The season runs from October 15 to January 15. Claims that smog would be controlled before the onset of the season have failed to materialise.

Authorities in Rawalpindi Division have decided to monitor smog and smoke emissions through drones and CCTV cameras.

The air quality index has reached hazardous levels in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Murree, Lahore and other major cities of Punjab. Islamabad recorded an index of 131, while Lahore registered 251, described as extremely hazardous. Gujranwala recorded 213, Faisalabad 155 and Multan 126.

Rawalpindi’s air pollution index reached 176, while Murree recorded 105. The index stood at 103 in Chakwal, 120 in Talagang, 122 in Jhelum and 178 in Attock.

Efforts to improve air quality have so far failed to produce the desired results, while measures taken by the Environmental Protection and Climate Change Department have faced setbacks.

Smog is a form of toxic air pollution caused by a combination of smoke and fog. The term was first used by British doctor Henry Antoine des Voeux in a paper in London.

The severe smog that enveloped London in December 1952 is considered one of the worst such events in history.

The combination of coal smoke and cold-weather fog caused thousands of deaths within a few days, prompting Britain to pass the Clean Air Act in 1956.

Since the late 20th century, industrialisation and the growing number of vehicles have turned smog into a recurring winter crisis in countries including the United States, China, particularly Beijing, and South Asia, especially Punjab and Lahore.

Smog forms when smoke, dust and harmful gases released by factories, vehicles and other sources – including sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide – mix with natural winter fog and moisture.

During winter, temperature inversion can trap this toxic layer close to the ground, preventing it from dispersing easily under sunlight.

There are two main types of smog. Sulphurous smog, also known as London smog, is primarily caused by coal burning and industrial emissions. Photochemical smog, also known as Los Angeles smog, forms through chemical reactions between vehicle emissions and sunlight.

The Environmental Protection Department, the secretary of the Regional Transport Authority (RTA) and traffic police said that, since October 1, authorities had shut down 20 stone-crushing machines, demolished 14 brick kilns and sealed 119 others to curb smog.

They also issued notices to 1,403 farmers for burning crop residues and challaned 11,953 vehicles, collecting fines totalling Rs35,859,000.

The RTA inspected 811 vehicles, issued 201 challans and collected fines amounting to Rs502,500.

Meanwhile, officials of the relevant departments have reportedly started praying for heavy rainfall to help reduce air pollution.