Rozella5628 at 07:28, 17 November 2025

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{{Short description|Record-breaking air pollution event in South Asia}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2025}}
{{Infobox event
| title = 2024 India–Pakistan smog
| image = Seasonal Haze over Northern India (MODIS 2024-11-02).jpg
| caption = [[NASA]] satellite imaging of air pollution over [[North India]] on 31 October 2024
| date = {{startdate|2024|10|28|df=yes}} – ongoing
| time =
| place = Eastern and Northern [[Pakistan]], Northern [[India]]
| coordinates =
| type = Seasonal air pollution
| cause = Agricultural burning, vehicular traffic, coal burning, [[urbanization]], seasonal weather patterns, [[Diwali]] firework celebrations
| reported deaths = 3+
| reported injuries = ~1.8 million in [[Punjab, Pakistan]]
| notes = [[Air quality index]] of 2,553 and [[PM2.5]] concentration of 947 μg per cubic metre reached in [[Multan]] on 8 November.
}}

The '''2024 India–Pakistan smog''' was a severe [[air pollution]] event that affected Eastern and Northern [[Pakistan]] and [[North India]] in November 2024, primarily in the Pakistani city of [[Lahore]] and Indian city of [[Delhi]]. The smog resulted in the overwhelming of the [[Healthcare in Pakistan|Pakistani healthcare system]] due to [[respiratory disease]] and throat and eye [[Irritation|irritations]], leading to widespread school closures and restrictions on public activities particularly in Pakistan's [[Punjab|Punjab region]].

== Background ==
In Pakistan, severe and hazardous air pollution emerges annually during winter months. Contributing factors include [[Agricultural waste|agricultural waste burning]], emissions from [[coal]]-powered facilities, vehicular traffic, and seasonal weather patterns. In the Punjab region, winter's colder, drier air masses trap pollutants close to the ground, unlike warmer air which typically disperses contamination upward.<ref name="cnn">{{Cite web |last1=Saifi |first1=Sophia |last2=Regan |first2=Helen |date=2024-11-11 |title=Toxic smog in Pakistan is so bad you can see it from space |url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/11/11/asia/pakistan-punjab-pollution-satellite-images-climate-intl-hnk/index.html |access-date=2024-11-12 |website=[[CNN]]}}</ref> Rapid [[Urbanisation in Pakistan|urbanization]] with insufficient [[Environmental law|environmental regulation]] has intensified air pollution during winter months.<ref name="guardian">{{Cite news |last1=Baloch |first1=Shah Meer |last2=Ellis-Petersen |first2=Hannah |date=2024-11-01 |title='More toxic than ever': Lahore and Delhi choked by smog as 'pollution season' begins |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/nov/01/lahore-delhi-choked-smog-pollution-season-india-pakistan |access-date=2024-11-12 |work=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref>

== Smog ==
The air pollution generated in November 2024 in India and Pakistan was regarded by [[Climatology|climate researchers]] as an unprecedented intensification of the region's annual pollution cycle.<ref name="guardian" /> [[NASA]] [[Satellite imagery|satellite imaging]] showed a continuous cloud of smog that extended across the majority of eastern and northern Pakistan, as well as northwestern India.<ref name="usatoday">{{Cite web |last=Shafiq |first=Saman |date=2024-11-12 |title=India, Pakistan blanketed in smog so thick, it's visible from space: See pictures |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2024/11/12/india-pakistan-toxic-smog-smoke/76222117007/ |access-date=2024-11-12 |website=[[USA Today]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Rai |first=Arpan |date=2024-11-12 |title=Pakistan's toxic smog cover is now visible from space |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/asia/south-asia/pakistan-toxic-smog-visible-from-space-b2645413.html |access-date=2024-11-12 |website=[[The Independent]]}}</ref>

=== Pakistan ===
In Lahore, Pakistan's second-largest city, [[air quality index]] (AQI) readings exceeded 1,200—four times the threshold considered hazardous to human health (300). It had the highest AQI reading globally on 7 November. Throughout [[Punjab, Pakistan|Punjab province]], with its population of 127 million, air quality indices frequently surpassed 1,000. In [[Multan]], levels of [[Particulates|PM2.5]], regarded by health experts as the most dangerous microscopic pollutant, reached concentrations of 947 μg per cubic metre on 8 November, nearly 190 times the [[World Health Organization]]'s safety guidelines.<ref name="cnn" /><ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Anand |first=Nisha |date=9 November 2024 |title=Pakistan's Punjab turns into gas chamber: AQI in Multan dips to 2,500 |url=https://www.business-standard.com/world-news/pakistan-s-punjab-turns-into-gas-chamber-aqi-in-multan-dips-to-2-500-124110900180_1.html |access-date=12 November 2024 |work=Business Standard}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Hussain |first=Abid |title=As Pakistan chokes on smog, is the government doing enough? |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/11/14/as-pakistan-chokes-on-smog-is-the-government-doing-enough |access-date=2024-11-18 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}}</ref> On the same day, Multan documented unprecedented AQI readings that reached 2,553.<ref name=":0" />

=== India ===
Pollution in [[Delhi]] reached drastic levels following [[Diwali]] celebrations, when illegal [[firecracker]] use temporarily pushed the city's pollution levels above Lahore's during the morning of 8 November. A local community health clinic reported that approximately 60% of patients presented with pollution-related illnesses, with children and elderly individuals particularly affected.<ref name="guardian" /> Delhi again became one of the most polluted cities in the world on 18 November, reaching an AQI reading of 1,500.<ref name="usatoday" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Delhi air pollution levels at 'severe plus', authorities say |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1wj43vqdlpo |access-date=2024-11-19 |website=www.bbc.com |date=18 November 2024 |language=en-GB}}</ref>

== Impact ==
The smog created severe health consequences across the region. The pollution surge overwhelmed Pakistan's healthcare system, with more than 30,000 patients seeking treatment for respiratory ailments in affected districts. The [[Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency]] reported unprecedented increases in cases of lung diseases, [[Allergy|allergies]], and eye and throat irritations in multiple districts including [[Faisalabad]], [[Multan]], and [[Gujranwala]].<ref name="cnn" /> By 12 November, 1.8 million people in Punjab province were estimated to have suffered respiratory or eye irritation-related health consequences due to the smog.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dogar |first=Babar |date=2024-11-12 |title=Growing pollution in Pakistan's Punjab province has sickened 1.8M people in a month, officials say |url=https://apnews.com/article/pakistan-smog-punjab-huge-population-affected-304b37e0e98cf734d40a37a5ec908bd3 |access-date=2024-11-12 |website=[[Associated Press]]}}</ref>

Children were especially vulnerable to health compilations during the crisis. [[UNICEF]] reported that over 11 million children under age five were exposed to hazardous air conditions in the worst-affected areas. Health experts emphasized children's heightened susceptibility due to their developing organs and [[Immune system|immune systems]], which could result in long-term detrimental health impacts. [[Save the Children|Save the Children Pakistan]] noted that beyond immediate health risks, the crisis disrupted education and increased children's vulnerability to infectious diseases.<ref name="cnn" />

The smog disproportionately impacted households with lower socioeconomic standings due to the prohibitive cost of [[air purifier]]s necessary to mitigate indoor air pollution.<ref name="aljazeera">{{Cite web |date=2024-11-11 |title=Photos: Pakistan's record smog affects children, forces people home |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/gallery/2024/11/11/children-constantly-coughing-pakistans-record-smog-forces-people-home |access-date=2024-11-12 |website=[[Al Jazeera English|Al Jazeera]]}}</ref> Historian [[Ammar Ali Jan]] referred to the impact of the smog as "a form of [[Environmental justice|environmental apartheid]]".<ref name="guardian" /> Several Lahore residents described the city as having become "unlivable" due to the intense smog.<ref name="guardian" /> Three deaths from vehicle accidents were attributed to the smog in [[Faisalabad]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Couple dies as car hits bike in smog|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1871947/couple-dies-as-car-hits-bike-in-smog|newspaper=[[Dawn (newspaper)|Dawn]]|date=13 November 2024|access-date=13 November 2024}}</ref>

== Response ==
In November 2024, the [[government of Pakistan]] implemented several restrictions in order to limit the impact of the smog on civilian health. Schools and government offices were shut down until 17 November, while parks, zoos, museums, and historical sites in 18 impacted districts were closed for 10 days. In addition, the government implemented restrictions on outdoor activities including sports events and outdoor dining in four districts, which included Lahore, while early closure requirements were implemented for markets and shops, excepting services deemed essential such as gas stations, pharmacies, and certain food and medical stores. Certain high-smog devices were temporarily banned, including unfiltered [[barbecue]]s at restaurants and [[auto rickshaws]].<ref name="aljazeera" />

The smog prompted Punjab officials to attempt to initiate dialogue with the [[Government of India|Indian government]] regarding collaborative solutions in a letter.<ref name="cnn" /> [[Chief Minister of Punjab (Pakistan)|Chief Minister of Punjab]] Maryam Nawaz proposed "smog diplomacy" between India and Pakistan, stating that "air doesn't recognize borders."<ref name="guardian" />

== See also ==

* [[Air pollution in Delhi]]
* [[Air pollution in Lahore]]
* [[Air pollution in India]]
* [[Firecrackers in India]]

=== Other significant smog events ===

* [[1930 Meuse Valley fog]]
* [[1939 St. Louis smog]]
* [[1948 Donora smog]]
* [[2013 Northeastern China smog]]
* [[Great Smog of London]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

{{Asia Pollution}}
{{Portal bar|Environment|India|Pakistan}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:2024 India-Pakistan smog}}
[[Category:2024 disasters in India]]
[[Category:2024 disasters in Pakistan]]
[[Category:2024 health disasters]]
[[Category:Air pollution in India]]
[[Category:Air pollution in Pakistan]]
[[Category:Disasters in Delhi]]
[[Category:Disasters in Punjab, India]]
[[Category:Environmental disasters in India]]
[[Category:Environment of India]]
[[Category:Environment of Pakistan]]
[[Category:Environmental history of India]]
[[Category:Health disasters in India]]
[[Category:Health disasters in Pakistan]]
[[Category:Multan]]
[[Category:November 2024 in India]]
[[Category:November 2024 in Pakistan]]
[[Category:Pollution in India]]
[[Category:Pollution in Pakistan]]
[[Category:Smog events]]
[[Category:Environmental history of Pakistan]]

2024 India Pakistan smog - Revision history

Rozella5628 at 07:28, 17 November 2025