Dense fog engulfs Islamabad, Met Office issues alert

ISLAMABAD: Islamabad is experiencing dense fog that has disrupted normal life and traffic.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has issued an alert, advising the citizens to be cautious as zero visibility was observed in most areas of the city.

According to the PMD, the foggy conditions will persist for the next few days, especially in the morning and evening hours.

The visibility on the streets and the motorways is very low, forcing the authorities to close some sections of the Islamabad Peshawar Motorway and the Lahore-Islamabad Motorway.

The fog has also caused delays in domestic and international flights at Islamabad airport. Passengers have been asked to check the status of their flights before leaving for the airport.

It said that the fog is also expected to be dense in the plains of Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Upper Sindh, where the visibility may drop to less than 30 meters.

The PMD has also forecast dry and cold weather in most parts of the country, with minimum temperatures ranging from -10°C to 5°C. The northern areas and the upper half of Balochistan will remain under the grip of severe cold, with minimum temperatures below -15°C.

The fog has also affected the air and road traffic, as several flights have been cancelled or delayed, and many sections of the motorway have been closed for safety reasons.

The PMD has urged the drivers to use fog lights and avoid unnecessary travel. The PMD has also advised the people to keep themselves warm and avoid exposure to the fog.