The Express Tribune

A thick cloud of smog engulfing Lahore and parts of Punjab has been pushed back to India from where it is believed to have originated — thanks to moderate north-westerly winds, improving weather conditions to a great deal.However, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has warned that it was a temporary respite because the smog might again blanket the city anytime.Chief Meteorologist Muhammad Riaz told The Express Tribune that moderate north-westerly winds on Friday and Saturday helped in improving weather conditions in the city, warning that it was temporary as dust and other toxic pollutants hung in the air and could only dissipate with rain which was not expected anytime soon.“Pollutants might return to Pakistan in the next couple of days but with less intensity.”The PMD’s latest weather report forecasts mainly dry weather in most parts of the country during the next 48 hours. It forecasts smoggy/foggy conditions over plains of Lahore, Gujranwala, Sargodha, Faisalabad, Sahiwal, Multan, Bahawalpur and Sukkur divisions. Continental air is prevailing over most parts of the country.A Punjab Environment Department spokesman said weather conditions in Lahore, Gujranwala and Faisalabad regions had significantly improved as wind had pushed back the extremely irritating hydrogen sulphide produced as a result of burning of crop residue by the mechanised East Punjab (Indian Punjab) farmers.Speaking to a select group of journalists, Punjab Environment Protection Department Secretary Capt (retd) Saif Anjum said his department had already launched a crackdown against factories and industries that were causing pollution in the environment. Special teams had been constituted to check steel industries located in north and north-east of the city.He said in collaboration with the district administration his department was checking all major sources of pollution.Published in, November 7, 2016.