ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Director General Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) Dr Muhammad Hanif Wednesday said the first ongoing winter-rain spell washed away the smog and would further drop mercury on the scale.
“They country received widespread rains that helped ending smog from different cities. The ongoing spell will further bring down the temperature as more downpours are likely in next 24 to 48 hours in various parts of the country,” he told the state-run news agency.
The smog, during last two weeks, had forced residents of Lahore and other cities of Punjab to limit their activities, which could cause health problems like asthma, emphysema, chronic bronchitis and other respiratory ailments as well as eye irritation and reduced resistance to colds and lung infections.
Smog-forming pollutants come from many sources such as automobile exhaust, power plants, factories and many consumer products, including paint, hairspray, charcoal starter fluid, chemical solvents, and even plastic popcorn packaging.
However, he said, the foggy weather conditions would continue to prevail in plain areas of the country despite the rain.
To a question, he said the ongoing rain-spell would have positive impact on seasonal vegetables, fruits and crops.
“This is a good news for all that the ongoing rain-spell will bring overall positive impact on agriculture sector especially citrus fruit” he added.
While answering another question, he said after the current rain-spell there was no significant shower in the month of November.
