Smoke rises after an explosion, amid the US-Israel conflict with Iran, in Tehran, Iran, March 8, 2026. PHOTO: REUTERS
QUETTA:
Toxic smoke from burning oil installations in Tehran after recent strikes could drift towards Pakistan’s western regions, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has warned, raising concerns about deteriorating air quality in parts of Balochistan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.
For the second day in a row, the skies over the Iranian capital remained shrouded in dense black smoke after attacks on oil facilities set fire to storage depots and refineries and severely polluted the air.
According to reports, smoke containing potentially hazardous pollutants is now moving eastwards towards Pakistan with prevailing westerly winds.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has warned that airborne pollutants from Iran could reach parts of Balochistan and the western districts of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, potentially affecting air quality in cities including Quetta, Chaman, Zhob, Chagai, Peshawar and Dera Ismail Khan.
Eyewitnesses reported that early morning rain appeared to contain traces of oil and other chemicals. A resident of Tehran said the sky looked unusually dark when he woke up, while raindrops left black stains on vehicles, balconies and clothes, making it difficult to breathe.
Iran’s Red Crescent Society advised residents to stay indoors, wear masks, avoid exposure to rainwater and turn off air conditioners.
Experts say burning oil facilities release harmful compounds, including hydrocarbons, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, which can severely degrade air quality and pose health risks.
Meteorologists warned that westerly winds can carry fine toxic particles, particularly PM2.5 pollutants, thousands of kilometers from their source.
They added that Balochistan’s dry climate and dust-laden winds could further spread these pollutants, increasing the likelihood of deteriorating air quality in border regions.
While the Pakistan Meteorological Department said the probability of “black rain” occurring in Pakistan remains low, it warned that the air quality index (AQI) could rise significantly, increasing the risk of pollution-related health problems.
The situation is considered particularly worrying for Quetta, a city already struggling with air pollution.
Medical experts said children, elderly people, asthma patients and pregnant women may be most vulnerable to the effects of polluted air, which can trigger respiratory diseases, eye irritation and cardiovascular complications.
Authorities in Balochistan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa have put health institutions on alert, while the PMD has instructed its regional offices to collect rainwater samples to monitor pollution levels.
