LAHORE/PESHAWAR: The severe fog has disrupted traffic across several areas in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, prompting authorities to close multiple stretches of motorways.
Visibility has been badly affected, leading to the closure of M-1 from Peshawar to Swabi, M-4 from Sher Shah to Shamsabad, M-5 from Sher Shah to Rohri, and M-11 from Lahore to Sambriyal. Motorway police have advised motorists to avoid unnecessary travel due to poor visibility.
The fog has also impacted traffic flow on national highways.
Meanwhile, air quality across various cities remains critically poor. Gujranwala recorded the highest pollution levels with a particulate matter (PM2.5) index of 429, followed by Faisalabad (347), Peshawar (272), Rawalpindi (207), and Lahore (180), according to a global environmental monitoring website.
Authorities continue to warn citizens to take precautions amid hazardous air conditions and dense fog.
On the other hand, Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has predicted rainfall and snowfall in Punjab and other western and northern regions of the country starting December 20.
According to PMD, most districts of Punjab may experience rain and snowfall from December 20 to 22. Thunderstorms accompanied by rain and snow are expected in hilly areas, including Rawalpindi, Murree, Galiyat, and the Potohar region.
DG PDMA Irfan Ali Kathia stated that light rainfall is also possible in Lahore, Sheikhupura, Sargodha, Khushab, Faisalabad, Hafizabad, Gujranwala, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat, Sialkot, Jhang, and Toba Tek Singh between December 20 and 21. These rains are expected to improve visibility by reducing fog and smog.
Meanwhile, western winds are expected to enter Balochistan on December 19, bringing rain and snow to Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Kashmir. Hilly regions may face risks of landslides, road closures, and slippery conditions.
