Siberian winds have reached the Kalat city reducing the temperature below freezing point to -13 degree celsius paralyzing the routine life while cold snap amid dense fog made impossible for commuters to travel by air, road or train in many cities of the country, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Tuesday.
The TV channel reported that heavy fog was reported in different parts of Punjab including Lahore - Sahiwal, Chichawatni, Okara, Mian Channu, Khanewal, Multan, Lodhran, Manga Mandi, Gujrat, Wazirabad, Gujranwala and Bahawalpur.
Motorway Police and National Highway (MP&NH) announced that various sections of motorways have been closed and citizens have been instructed to use fog lights and avoid unnecessary travel. The TV channel reported citizens face severe difficulties amid the harsh weather conditions.
Multan city and its suburbs are shrouded in severe winter fog limiting the visibility to 100 meters only.
Meteorological Department Multan said all flight operations at the airport are cancelled until the visibility is improved. It has been reported that PIA flight PK-9716 will now land at 12 noon.
In Narowal, cold biting weather reduced the mercury to three degree celsius disrupting the Narowal-Lathani Express train operation.
In Haroonabad, heavy fog engulfed the city and increased severity of cold reducing visibility.
Flights
A Pakistan International Airline (PIA) spokesman said some PIA flight schedules will be affected due to bad weather conditions and domestic flights will be operated on reports of improved visibility. He said foreign flights will be diverted to alternative airports due to reduced visibility.
The PIA spokesperson said flights would be delayed or will be diverted to other airports including PK-9748 Madinah-Lahore will depart with a delay of three hours and 30 minutes.
He said passengers are requested to be sure to register their numbers when booking tickets so that they can be notified of flight changes.
“All passengers are being notified of their registered numbers and get information about your flights from PIA call center before going to airports,” Spokesperson PIA further said.
The TV channel reported due to fog and technical malfunction of flights at Allama Iqbal International Airport, Lahore 21 domestic and international flights were delayed while seven domestic and international flights were canceled.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department said dry continental air is prevailing over most parts of the country and on Tuesday cold and dry weather is expected in most parts of the country.
However, very cold weather is expected in Upper Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, north Balochistan, Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan. Fog is likely to prevail in Plain areas of Punjab and upper Sindh. However, the Met office predicted cold and dry weather is expected in most parts of the country on Wednesday (tomorrow).
In the past 24 hour, weather remained Cold and dry weather prevailed over most parts of the country, while very cold in north Balochistan, northern areas, Kashmir and Upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. However, rain occured in Upper Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Kashmir.
Rainfall (mm): Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: Malam jabba 04, Balakot 01, Kashmir: Garhi Dupatta 04, Muzaffarabad (City, Airport 02).
Tuesday’s Lowest Minimum Temperature (°C): Kalat, -12°C, Leh -10°C, Kalam, Quetta -09°C, Gupis -08°C, Pulwama, Baramullah, Astore, Dalbandin -06°C,Malama jabba, Zhob, Parachinar -05°C, Hunza, Bagrote, Skaradu -04°C, Chitral, Murree, Bannu -03°C.