The Air Quality Index (AQI) in Lahore has decreased from over 1,000 to 283. This improvement in air quality is attributed to strong winds changing direction from India towards the south.

According to meteorological experts, winds may shift again in the afternoon. Currently, winds from the Indian city of Ajnala are moving towards Mureedke, which is adjacent to Lahore.

Lahore hit an alarming AQI of 1000 due to polluted air entering from India, a senior government minister said on Saturday.

Punjab’s Senior Minister Maryam Aurangzeb warned that the severity of smog is expected to persist for the next 48 hours.

Aurangzeb emphasized the need for caution among individuals with respiratory, chest, or heart conditions and recommended that elderly people avoid outdoor activities altogether.

Authorities are advising residents to remain indoors and to wear masks if they must go outside.

Meteorological experts have alerted citizens about the deteriorating air quality, which has been worsened by the burning of crop residues in Indian agricultural regions. NASA has also released aerial images illustrating the extent of the pollution.

On the previous day, the average air pollution level in Lahore was recorded at 157, with the average over the last five days lingering around 180. The influx of smoke has dramatically increased smog levels across the city.

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Lahore has been on the top of the hazardous air quality list in the world as India’s Kolkata with 253 AQI reading, Delhi, 238 and Mumbai 199.