PDMA Sounds Alarm Over Deteriorating Air Quality in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has issued an urgent weather advisory warning residents about significantly increased smog and fog conditions across the province's plains. The authority attributes this hazardous weather pattern to persistent dry and cold conditions that are expected to continue in the coming days.
Affected Districts and Transportation Impact
Multiple districts including Peshawar, Charsadda, Swabi, Mardan and Dera Ismail Khan are likely to experience sustained smog conditions that could pose serious health and safety risks. The PDMA specifically highlighted that visibility on major transportation routes including the M-1 Motorway and GT Road is expected to drop dramatically during night and early morning hours due to dense fog and smog accumulation.
Health Risks and Precautionary Measures
The authority issued special warnings for vulnerable populations, noting that rising smog levels could be particularly dangerous for asthma patients and individuals with respiratory illnesses. Citizens have been strongly advised to avoid unnecessary outdoor activities and use N-95 or KN-95 masks when going outside becomes unavoidable.
Additional protective measures recommended include:
- Keeping windows and doors closed during high smog periods
- Avoiding burning wood or candles indoors
- Elderly persons and children taking extra precautions
- Using carpooling or public transport to reduce traffic congestion
Administrative Actions and Public Awareness
The PDMA has directed all district administrations to implement immediate precautionary measures and launch comprehensive public awareness campaigns. Authorities have been instructed to intensify actions against industrial emissions and garbage burning, identified as key contributors to smog formation.
Educational institutions have received specific directives to conduct awareness campaigns about smog-related health risks and preventive measures. The PDMA has established an emergency helpline at 1700 for citizens to report any smog-related emergencies or seek assistance.
This coordinated response aims to mitigate the health impacts of the deteriorating air quality while addressing the environmental factors contributing to the current smog crisis in the region.
