November 12, 2024: A thick layer of toxic smog is currently blanketing large parts of India and Pakistan, as air quality in the region continues to plummet to hazardous levels. NASA recently released satellite images showing the extent of the pollution, which stretches across the densely populated Indo-Gangetic Plain, covering significant areas of both countries.

The worsening air quality is being driven by a combination of factors, including farm fires, vehicle emissions, and industrial pollution. In northern India, Punjab province has reported over 7,000 active farm fires, with 418 new fires detected on Monday alone. These fires, commonly set by farmers to clear crop residue, have pushed air quality levels in nearby cities like Chandigarh into the "very poor" category.

Across the border in Pakistan, conditions are similarly severe. In Lahore, one of the worst-affected cities, air quality levels have regularly surpassed 300 on the Air Quality Index (AQI), indicating hazardous levels of fine particulate matter (PM2.5). In response, authorities have enforced a range of emergency measures, including banning most outdoor activities, closing schools, and implementing early shutdowns for markets and malls in an effort to reduce the risks posed by the toxic air.

In addition to crop burning, experts note that other sources of pollution, such as vehicle emissions, industrial discharges, and dust from the Thar Desert, are also contributing to the crisis. The region’s geography, with the Indo-Gangetic Plain hemmed in by the Himalayas to the north and the Vindhya Range to the south, makes matters worse, as temperature inversions in the winter trap pollutants near the ground, creating a thick layer of smog that persists for weeks.

Health officials in both India and Pakistan are warning of the serious risks posed by the toxic air, particularly for vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing health conditions. Prolonged exposure to the pollutants in the air can lead to respiratory problems, cardiovascular diseases, and even premature deaths.

In response to the crisis, the governments of both countries have taken steps to limit exposure, including temporarily closing schools, halting construction activities, and imposing restrictions on outdoor movement. However, experts caution that the measures may not be enough to prevent the worsening of the situation, especially as the peak of the pollution season approaches.

NASA scientists have projected that the number of farm fires in the region could exceed 15,000 this year, further exacerbating the already deteriorating air quality. As the smog continues to spread, environmentalists and health experts are calling for more long-term solutions to address the root causes of the pollution, including better waste management practices, stricter emissions controls, and sustainable agricultural methods. Without such measures, the region’s air quality is expected to remain at dangerous levels for the foreseeable future.