LAHORE: A light drizzle early Sunday morning further chilled Lahore, while dense fog that began enveloping Punjab on Saturday night caused significant disruptions, including road closures and flight delays.
According to the Meteorological Office, intermittent rain is expected to continue throughout the day, keeping temperatures low. The mercury dropped to 9°C in Lahore, with a maximum of 16°C forecasted, accompanied by a light breeze of 5 kilometers per hour that added to the cold. Humidity levels in the city reached 95%.
The dense fog significantly impacted travel, prompting the Motorway Police to close key road sections to traffic. Motorway sections M-II from Lahore to Momin Kot and M-III from Faizpur to Samundri were shut, as well as the route from Lahore to Sialkot. Motorway Police have urged motorists to avoid travel during nighttime hours and to take necessary precautions if traveling in foggy conditions.
Flight operations were also affected, with several delays reported at airports, causing inconvenience to passengers. Authorities have advised extreme caution for those driving in reduced visibility and issued reminders to ensure safety measures are in place to prevent accidents.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has predicted further rainfall and snowfall in the northern regions over the next 24 hours. Areas in upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit Baltistan, Kashmir, Murree, and Galliyat are expected to receive rain and snow. Additionally, rain accompanied by wind and thunderstorms is likely in isolated areas of northeastern Punjab and the Potohar region.
The PMD also warned that moderate to dense fog would persist in plain areas of Punjab and upper Sindh during the night, continuing to disrupt travel and daily activities in affected areas.
Rain and snowfall were reported at isolated locations in upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit Baltistan over the past day, with cold and partly cloudy weather prevailing in other parts of the country. Northern Balochistan experienced very cold conditions, while dense fog blanketed most districts of Punjab and upper Sindh.
Rainfall was most significant in Chitral, which recorded 73mm, followed by Mir Khani with 29mm, Dir Upper with 27mm, and Drosh with 20mm. Kalam recorded 4mm, and Parachinar, Pattan, and Malam Jabba received 3mm each.
Snowfall was also notable, with Chitral receiving 11 inches, Kalam and Drosh recording 2 inches each, and Malam Jabba reporting 1 inch.
Lowest temperatures recorded
The coldest temperatures over the past 24 hours were -11°C in Ziarat, -9°C in Kalat, and -8°C in Quetta. Other notable minimum temperatures included -6°C in Gupis, -4°C in Bagrote and Parachinar, and -3°C in Hunza and Leh.
The ongoing cold spell, combined with rain, snowfall, and fog, continues to disrupt daily life and travel across the country, with authorities urging caution and preparedness in affected areas.
