Smog grapples Punjab, as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa gets cloudy

WEB DESK: Lahore finds itself enveloped in a persistent wave of fog and smog, causing concerns over air quality. According to the latest global air pollution rankings, Lahore has secured the second position with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 221. Karachi, known as Shahr Quaid, has claimed the top spot with an AQI of 250, Indian city Mumbai follows closely behind at third place with an AQI of 172.

The Meteorology Department forecasts a minimum temperature of 12 degrees Celsius in Lahore today, coupled with a humidity ratio of 52 percent. Furthermore, there is a looming possibility of smog and fog in Lahore and its surroundings over the next 24 hours, according to the Meteorology Department.

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Moving south to Multan, the city and its surrounding areas are expected to experience cold and dry weather. The maximum temperature in Multan is projected to reach 24 degrees Celsius, with the minimum recorded at 12 degrees Celsius. The air’s humidity stands at 88 percent, and there is no likelihood of rain in the coming days, according to the Meteorological Department. Multan residents are advised to brace themselves for a cool and dry day ahead.

On the other hand, across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including districts such as Peshawar, Nowshera, Mardan, Malakand, Swabi, Battagram, DI Khan, and Bannu, cold weather and partly cloudy skies are anticipated. Several districts are currently shrouded in fog, with Peshawar experiencing temperatures plummeting to minus 3 degrees Celsius. The minimum temperature in Peshawar is expected to be 8 degrees Celsius, while the maximum is forecasted to reach 26 degrees Celsius.

In Peshawar, Kalam records a chilling minus 3 degrees Celsius, while other areas like Chitral, Dir, Malam Jabba, and Takhtbhai hover around 0 to 7 degrees Celsius, as reported by the Meteorological Department.

In Sindh, dry weather is expected in most districts of the province. Fog is likely in Jacobabad, Sukkur, Larkana, Dadu and Ghotki during morning hours, said the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD).

In Kashmir/G-B, rain-wind/thunderstorm with snowfall over the hills is expected. Islamabad and adjoining areas will stay partly cloudy through the day and get more cloudy as the sun sets.