Lahore has once again topped the global ranking of the world’s most polluted major cities, with air quality reaching hazardous levels on Monday, November 9, according to Swiss air quality monitoring platform IQAir.

The city recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 590 in the morning, while a separate hourly reading showed pollution levels reaching 647. Lahore ranked ahead of Ulaanbaatar, Delhi, Kolkata, and Sarajevo.

Several neighbourhoods also reported extremely dangerous readings. Allama Iqbal Town recorded an AQI of 1,033, while the CERP Office reached 864 and Burki Road Paragon recorded 748.

The worsening situation has also affected other Punjab cities, including Raiwind, Multan, and Faisalabad, which reported hazardous air quality.

Authorities have identified several contributing factors, including crop-residue burning, fireworks, vehicle and industrial emissions, and weather conditions that trap pollutants close to the ground.

The Punjab Environment Protection Agency says it has intensified action against stubble burning through surveillance, drones, firefighting teams, and enforcement operations.

Officials expect pollution levels to remain high, with some improvement possible from November 11.

The situation has renewed concerns over the health risks posed by severe winter smog across Punjab.