LAHORE – As the smog engulfed large parts of the Punjab causing health, commutation and other problems, the provincial government has geared up efforts to prevent it.
The government has imposed Section 144 throughout the province under which people are banned from burning crop stubble, tyres, and rubbish.
Authorities claimed that smog occurred due to rampant crop stubble burning in Indian Punjab.
The government has directed Environment department to implement the Section 144 strictly in order to control the smog.
Chief Meteorologist Dr Muhammad Hanif said that smog has intensified in plain areas of Punjab as compared to previous year.
He predicted no rains in Punjab in next ten days and the areas will be covered up with dense smog during these days.
Besides an increase in road accidents due to low visibility, the smog — a chemical reaction that causes air to be significantly polluted and hinders traffic visibility — has affected the electricity distribution system.
At least six people were killed and 40 others injured due to low visibility during past 24 hours.
A statement released by the power division stated that the National Transmission and Despatch Company (NTDC) on Friday acted to save different cities of the country from a blackout after 200 and 500KV grid stations were affected by smog.
The thick fog blanketing areas of Punjab is proving to be a challenge for the transmission system, added the Power Division statement.
Four nuclear power plants, Chashma I-IV, have been shut down in addition to four other power plants producing 4,250mw of electricity.
Due to various power plants being shut down, there is a likelihood of load-shedding increasing in the country.
