Lahore under grip of smog, fog

LAHORE: In the grip of persistent cold and dry weather, Lahore and its surrounding areas remain shrouded in an unrelenting combination of smog and fog, exacerbating air quality concerns.

 As the city grapples with these atmospheric challenges, Lahore maintains its position as the second-most polluted city globally.

On Wednesday morning the air quality index (AQI) for Lahore currently stands at 208, with the Shimla Pahari area registering the highest AQI at a worrisome 430.

Along the Quaid-e-Azam highway, an AQI of 396 further underscores the severity of the air pollution problem.

DHA and Johar Town persist as the city’s most heavily affected areas, bearing the brunt of deteriorating air quality leading to smog, fog in Lahore.

Weather in Lahore

Despite a partly cloudy morning in Lahore, the biting cold prevails, signaling a protracted period of adverse weather conditions.

According to the Meteorological Department, the cold and dry spell is anticipated to persist for the next 24 hours. The maximum temperature expected to reach 20 degrees Celsius and a minimum temperature plummeting to 8 degrees Celsius.

The air will be laden with a humidity ratio of 83 percent, intensifying the perceptible chill.

Motorway closures

As the city contends with these challenging atmospheric conditions, the motorway network faces disruptions due to thick fog.

Motorway M2, spanning from Lahore to Kot Momin, has been temporarily closed to ensure the safety of commuters, as confirmed by Syed Imran Ahmed, the spokesperson for Motorway Police.

Similarly, Motorway M3, stretching from Faizpur to Darkhana, and Motorway M4, closed from Shamkot to Pindi Bhattian, are grappling with reduced visibility caused by fog.

The closure of Motorway M5 from Sher Shah to Zahir Pir, as well as the Lahore Sialkot Motorway, further compounds the travel woes in the region.