Smog covers 32 of Punjab's 36 districts, SUPARCO data shows
Average aerosol optical depth across the province measured 1.52, and satellites detected 499 fire incidents in Punjab and 744 in neighbouring areas in 24 hours.
Satellite monitoring has found high to extremely severe air pollution in 32 of Punjab's 36 districts, with only 5 per cent of the province's area under clear skies, according to a SUPARCO assessment carried by Pakistani outlets on 13 November.
The assessment, posted on the Space4Climate website, listed Muzaffargarh, Dera Ghazi Khan and Hafizabad as the districts with the highest concentrations of airborne pollutants. Jhang, Nankana Sahib, Sheikhupura, Khanewal, Okara and Faisalabad were also among the worst affected.
SUPARCO's satellites detected 499 fire incidents across Punjab in the past 24 hours, and another 744 in neighbouring transboundary areas over the same period, Pakistan Connect and Pakistan Observer reported.
The average Aerosol Optical Depth, a measure of particles suspended in the atmosphere, was 1.52 across the province. Satellite imagery showed 62 per cent of Punjab's area covered by fog, smog and smoke, 28 per cent under fog or low-level cloud, 5 per cent under cloud and 5 per cent clear.
SUPARCO forecast a gradual decline in smog intensity over three days, with PM2.5 concentrations falling from 106 micrograms per cubic metre on 11 November to 86 on 12 November and 56 on 13 November. Pakistan Observer reported that model projections also indicated a fall from 133 to 56 micrograms per cubic metre over the same period.
The ventilation rate, which describes how quickly the atmosphere disperses pollution, was recorded at 1,130 square metres per second and is expected to rise to 1,431 square metres per second on 12 November. SUPARCO said meteorological conditions would still limit the dispersal of pollutants.
Nitrogen dioxide levels were 12 per cent below the seasonal average.
The bulletin is published at space4climate.gov.pk, where SUPARCO said monitoring of smog, air pollution and fire incidents across all 36 districts would continue.
How the reports differ
Pakistan Connect led on the extent of the haze, reporting in its opening line that only 5 per cent of Punjab's area remained clear, a figure the other two carried further down. Pakistan Observer alone reported a second set of model projections, under which PM2.5 could fall from 133 to 56 micrograms per cubic metre over three days. Minute Mirror's headline framed the story around the number of districts affected and SUPARCO's detection of 499 fires, while the other two led on the satellite assessment as a whole.
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