Pakistan, Jan. 15 -- The cold wave intensified in the provincial capital on Wednesday as the mercury plunged to 3degC, while the average Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 270. Data compiled by IQAir showed that air quality remained in the very unhealthy category, with PM2.5 levels measured at 39 times higher than the World Health Organization's annual guideline value. Among the most polluted localities were B Block, Phase 5, DHA (686), Barki (582), Cantonment (541), Askari X (401), Allama Iqbal Town (346), Wahdat Road (292), A Block, Model Town (279), Civil Secretariat (278), Bedian Road (247) and Liberty (204). Meanwhile, dense fog enveloped several highways across Punjab, leading to traffic disruptions in various areas.

Cold, dry...