Rain and hail swept through several parts of Lahore on Saturday, bringing cooler temperatures and an improvement in air quality as the provincial capital dropped to 13th place in the global ranking of the world’s most polluted cities.
Showers were reported across several neighbourhoods, including Gajjumata, Nishtar, Chungi, Walton, Township, Harbanspura, Gulberg, DHA, Model Town and Raiwind Road.
According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), temperatures fell following the rainfall, with Lahore recording a temperature of 18.5°C at 7pm.
At approximately 8pm on Saturday, Lahore recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 133, placing it 13th among the world’s most polluted cities.
The reading falls within the category considered “unhealthy for sensitive groups”, indicating that children, older adults and people with respiratory conditions may still face health risks despite the improvement.
Senegal’s capital, Dakar, topped the global pollution rankings with an AQI of 297, followed by Kuching, Malaysia, at 208 and Mumbai, India, at 186.
However, a separate local air-quality assessment presented a less favourable picture, placing Lahore sixth among Pakistan’s most polluted cities with an average AQI of 172.
Individual monitoring stations continued to register elevated pollution levels, including:
– GT Road: AQI 222
– Ravi Road: AQI 211
– Model Town: AQI 204
The figures indicated that air pollution remained a concern in several areas despite the rainfall.
Earlier on Saturday, the Pakistan Meteorological Department issued a weather advisory after identifying an active weather system over Gujranwala and neighbouring areas.
The department forecast strong winds, thunderstorms and rainfall across several districts of Punjab, including Lahore, Sialkot, Narowal, Gujranwala, Sheikhupura and Kasur.
The weather system brought precipitation to parts of the provincial capital, accompanied by hail in some localities.
In its subsequent daily forecast, the Met Office predicted predominantly dry conditions across most districts of Punjab during Saturday night and Sunday.
However, Murree, Galiyat and surrounding areas were expected to experience cold weather with partly cloudy skies.
While Saturday’s rainfall provided some temporary relief from Lahore’s persistent smog, pollution readings in several neighbourhoods remained above healthy levels.