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Chenab Nagar, formerly known as Abdullapur, is situated in the Punjab province of Pakistan, at coordinates 31.7528° N, 72.9222° E. The city’s location within the broader Indus Plain dictates a largely flat, alluvial terrain, conducive to intensive agriculture. The Chenab River, a major tributary of the Indus, flows nearby, influencing local humidity and potentially contributing to fog formation during cooler months. With an elevation of approximately 170 meters (558 feet), Chenab Nagar experiences a typical sub-tropical climate. The surrounding landscape is dominated by agricultural fields – primarily wheat, rice, and cotton – interspersed with smaller settlements. While not a major industrial hub itself, the city’s proximity to larger industrial areas in Punjab, such as Faisalabad and Gujranwala, means it’s susceptible to regional pollution transport. The urban-rural gradient is relatively sharp; the city centre is densely populated, while the periphery quickly transitions into farmland. This proximity to agricultural practices introduces potential sources of particulate matter from crop residue burning and fertilizer use. The prevailing wind patterns, generally from the northwest during winter and southeast during summer, play a crucial role in dispersing or concentrating pollutants. The flat topography limits natural ventilation, exacerbating pollution episodes.

Chenab Nagar’s air quality follows a distinct seasonal pattern. The winter months (November to February) typically experience the poorest air quality. This is due to temperature inversions – a meteorological phenomenon where a layer of warm air traps cooler air near the ground, preventing pollutant dispersal – coupled with increased reliance on biomass burning for heating and agricultural waste disposal after the harvest. Dense fog, common during these months, further exacerbates the situation by trapping pollutants. March and April bring some improvement as temperatures rise and winds pick up, but dust storms originating from the arid regions to the west can temporarily degrade air quality. The summer monsoon (July to September) offers a period of relatively cleaner air, as rainfall washes away pollutants and increased humidity suppresses dust. However, stagnant air conditions during breaks in the monsoon can lead to localised pollution build-up. October and early November see a gradual deterioration as temperatures fall and agricultural burning resumes. Sensitive groups – children, the elderly, and those with respiratory conditions – should limit outdoor activity during winter and periods of high dust. Avoiding peak hours near agricultural areas during burning season is also advisable.