- Pakistan, India are fighting a common enemy – smog.
- Due to pollution, businesses and schools had to be closed in Lahore.
- Early winter vacation announced in New Delhi.
New Delhi: Indian authorities have announced changes to the winter vacation schedule, closing all schools in New Delhi due to deteriorating air quality due to smog.
The development comes a day after the Pakistani government imposed health emergency in Lahore and two other divisions from November 9 to 12.
A statement issued by the provincial health department said all markets, shopping malls, restaurants, cinemas, gymnasiums, schools and offices (public and private) in Lahore, Gujranwala and Hafizabad divisions will remain closed for four days.
Both the countries are badly affected by high levels of smog nowadays, which has increased difficulties for the people, causing many health problems.
“In view of the implementation of GRAP-IV measures due to the severe + air quality in Delhi and considering that no respite from such adverse weather conditions is likely to occur in the near future,” according to a notification issued by the New Delhi Education Department. IMD, has ordered to advance the winter vacation for the session 2023-24 so that schools can be completely closed and both children and teachers can stay at home.
Accordingly, the notification states that all schools will observe winter vacation from November 9-18.
Increasing industrialization in South Asia in recent decades has led to increased emissions from factories, construction activities and vehicles in densely populated areas.
The problem becomes more severe in the cold autumn and winter months, as temperature inversions prevent a layer of warm air from rising and trapping pollutants closer to the ground.
Heavy smog blanketed Lahore this week, reducing visibility and residents complaining of threats to their health.
“The weather is such that everyone’s throat is sore and eyes are sore and everyone’s health is being affected,” said Mohammad Salahuddin, a private guard in Lahore.
Rising air pollution could cut per capita life expectancy by more than five years in South Asia, one of the world’s most polluted regions, according to a report published in August that highlighted the growing burden of hazardous air exposure on health. Is.
