Dense winter fog shuts key motorways as cold weather grips country

WEB DESK: Travel on key northern motorways was disrupted early Thursday as thick fog reduced visibility to near zero. A spokesperson for the National Highways and Motorway Police said Motorway M-1 from Peshawar to Swabi has been closed due to heavy fog. The Peshawar-Rashkai section of M-1 has also been shut for traffic as authorities warned motorists to avoid unnecessary travel and follow fog-related advisories.

Moving towards plains, Lahore continued to battle hazardous air as it ranked fourth among the world’s most polluted cities on Thursday. The provincial capital recorded an air quality index (AQI) of 194, placing it behind Dhaka, which topped the list with an AQI of 302, New Delhi at 280, and Kolkata at 234. Environmental experts have urged residents to wear masks outdoors and limit prolonged exposure.

Overall, the national weather outlook shows a mix of partly cloudy and cold conditions, along with fog and smog in plains, according to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD).

Partly cloudy to cloudy weather is expected in northern Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) and upper Punjab. Very cold conditions will persist in hilly areas during morning and night hours, while cold and dry weather is likely elsewhere. Smog will affect plain areas of Punjab and KP, with fog expected in some locations during the morning and night.

Going region by region, cold and partly cloudy conditions are expected in the federal capital Islamabad and adjoining areas on Thursday.

In Punjab, most districts will experience cold, partly cloudy weather. Smog is likely in Sialkot, Narowal, Lahore, Sheikhupura, Gujranwala, Gujarat, Jhelum, Faisalabad, Sahiwal, Multan, Khanewal, Layyah, Kot Addu and Bahawalpur, while fog may appear at a few spots during morning and night.

For Sindh, mainly dry weather is forecast across the province, with cold conditions during morning and night hours.

Cold, partly cloudy weather will prevail in most districts across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, turning very cold in hilly regions. Light rain or snowfall may occur over high hills in Chitral, Dir, Bajaur, Khyber, Kurram and Parachinar. Fog may affect Peshawar, Swabi, Mardan, DI Khan and nearby areas.

Balochistan will remain cold and dry, with very cold temperatures in northern districts. Northern and western regions may see partly cloudy skies, with chances of light rain or snowfall in Quetta, Ziarat, Chaman, Pishin, Qila Abdullah, Qila Saifullah and adjacent areas.

Cloudy weather with light rain or snowfall at isolated locations in Kashmir is expected. And likewise, Gilgit-Baltistan will get partly cloudy to cloudy and cold conditions through Thursday.