LAHORE: The Punjab government has announced to close all public and private schools in Lahore, Gujranwala, and Faisalabad due to extreme smog.
The decision has been taken keeping in view the worst smog as the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Lahore reaches 371 today.
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According to a notification issued by the provincial government, the schools will remain closed due to dense smog in the three districts.
Since the start of the month, the smog has been forcing citizens to take precautionary measures as there was no sign of reduction for the past few days.
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Lahore has been ranked as the second most polluted city in the world, which records air pollution levels across the globe.
Earlier on Thursday, the Lahore High Court banned the old brick kiln technology in Punjab to curb the pollution. The old brick kiln technology is a process where bricks are baked or burned underneath the fuel.
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The smog is caused by a lack of rain and immense pollution. Smoke from vehicles, factories, and burning of the remains of crops could one of the major factors behind the dense smog.
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Increasing industrial activity, traffic, and reduction in trees are the main causes of air pollution. This is leading to various diseases including lung problems, hypertension, and mental illness.
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