School closed in Punjab

Due to the smog, the education department has formally announced to close the school in various cities of Punjab province on Friday, November 22, 2019.

According to the details, due to the smog throughout the province Punjab, educational activities will be suspended on Friday in different areas, education department has issued the notification.

Punjab Education Department stated that public and private schools will be closed on Friday, November 22 due to smog in Lahore, Faisalabad and Gujranwala.

Severe fog is prevailing in various areas of  Punjab including Lahore, Faisalabad and Gujranwala.

Punjab Chief Minister Usman Bazdar has directed all concerned departments to intensify their campaign against smog and ordered strict implementation of a ban imposed on the burning of tyres.

According to Meteorological department, the smog has reduced visibility to less than 1 km, while the Air Quality Index (AQI) has reached 397 in Lahore on Thursday.

The motorway police have also instructed the drivers to reduce speed and ensure switching on fog lights to avoid mishaps.

Earlier on Thursday, air pollution in the shape of smog engulfed Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International Airport results in diversion of three flights to Islamabad here.

Flight number QR 628 from Doha to Lahore was diverted to Islamabad airport due to poor visibility caused by intense smog.

The flights from Damam and Urumqi were also diverted towards Islamabad from Lahore for the same reason.

Moreover, flight number PK 650 from Islamabad to Lahore was stopped from taking off, while flight number SV 735 from Jeddah to Lahore also facing delay due to visibility problem caused by smog.