Pakistan's Punjab government on Friday declared smog a “health crisis" and used artificial rain in several cities across the province in an effort to combat its hazardous levels, as millions reported breathing problems and other respiratory issues over the past month.

Air quality in Lahore reached hazardous levels this week, while other cities in South Asia also battle toxic pollution.

Air quality has deteriorated drastically in Pakistan’s Punjab in recent weeks, with provincial capital Lahore currently ranking as the world’s most polluted city

A Pakistani province declared a health emergency Friday due to smog and imposed a shutdown in two major cities. Smog has choked Punjab for weeks, sickening nearly 2 million people and shrouding vast swathes of the province in a toxic haze.