A huge smog cloud over South Asia is now so large that it can be seen from space, according to NASA.
In Pakistan, the city of Lahore has been especially affected, causing schools, parks, and even zoos to close as officials urge people to stay indoors. Just weeks ago, Lahore was ranked the world’s most polluted city, with the Air Quality Index hitting dangerously high levels, well above 1,000, far surpassing the “hazardous” mark of 300.
More than 14 million people in Lahore are facing record-breaking smog, which is harmful to breathe and blocks sunlight, creating constant hazy skies. To protect health, schools are closed at least until November 17, and many workers have been told to work from home. “You can’t even open your doors and windows because then the smog comes in, and it’s terrible,” said Rafia Iqbal, a teacher in Lahore.
NASA images reveal that much of the pollution comes from nearby fires. In both Pakistan and India, farmers often burn leftover crops after harvest to clear fields quickly, releasing smoke that mixes with vehicle emissions and factory pollution. Lahore’s large number of motorbikes, cars, and coal-fired brick factories contribute to the poor air quality.
This combination of smoke, traffic pollution, and industrial emissions has created a smog cloud so vast it can be seen far beyond Earth’s surface, highlighting the serious impact of pollution on people’s daily lives and health.
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