Smog has sickened thousands of citizens across Punjab this year, forcing large numbers to seek treatment at hospitals, according to data released by the provincial health department on Tuesday.

A spokesperson for the department said that hospitals across the province have reported a significant increase in patients suffering from respiratory illnesses, colds, coughs, flu, as well as heart and stroke-related complications caused by hazardous air quality.

In January alone, 2.09 million people were affected by smog-related ailments, while 1.89 million were recorded in February and 1.35 million in March.

No data for smog-related cases were available for April and July, but the situation worsened again from August, when over 941,000 people fell ill.

In September, the number of affected individuals rose to more than 842,000, and by October 27, smog had already impacted over 690,000 people across the province.

Health officials have urged citizens to take preventive measures, especially children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing respiratory or cardiac conditions, as smog levels continue to rise in Punjab.