The story
The smog in Lahore, Pakistan, is at its worst level ever, seriously affecting the health of its 13 million residents.
People have been told to stay indoors, schools are closed and vehicles have been banned from the worst affected areas.
The air quality index in the city has recently reached over 1,000. Anything above 300 is considered dangerous.
The main cause of this year’s smog is a higher number of illegal fires which farmers in Pakistan and neighbouring India use to burn their crops quickly and cheaply.
News headlines
Pictures from space show mighty smog choking Lahore
BBC News
Half of children in Pakistan out of school for second time this year as air pollution hits new highs
Save the Children
The blurred lines between smog and climate change
UCA News
Key words and phrases
choke
stop someone breathing
- The smoke from the fire was so thick it was choking the crowd.
hit new highs
higher than ever before
- She’s excited because her company’s value has hit new highs.
blurred lines
hard to distinguish two different things
- Some say there’s a blurred line between love and hate.