Thick fog and harsh weather conditions prevailed in many areas of the country with gas loadshedding compounding people’s miseries, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Thursday.
The dense fog blanketed the plain areas of Punjab and upper Sindh disrupting the rail, road and air travel in parts of the country and also bringing gas crisis in many cities particularly in Rawalpindi.
Cold and dry weather reported in most parts of the country, while mercury dropped in north Balochistan, northern areas, Kashmir and upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The TV channel reported that Narowal areas including Kartarpur, Ahmedabad and Badomali Muredke were completely engulfed by the dense fog limiting the visibility to zero meter.
In Lahore, the fog enveloped parts of the metropolis disrupting the traffic flow in the city.
Motorways
National Highways and Motorway Police (NH&MP) said Lahore-Multan, Kalashah Kaku Faizpur Kot Abdul Malik Interchange is closed, Kalashah Kaku and Narowal Road Muridke Sialkot Interchange were also closed amid dense fog.
However, the M2 motorway was opened after improved visibility eleven hours later. The Lahore-Islamabad Motorway was closed due to fog making long queues of vehicles waiting for the motorway to reopen.
Motorway Police Spokesperson said, “The highways are hit by intense fog and commuters have been advised to use their fog lights while driving and not make any unnecessary trips.”
The Motorway Police official said that motorists who experience issues during their journeys and need assistance should call the Motorway Police Helpline 130.
Gas loadshedding
Amid the dense fog and harsh weather conditions, gas loadshedding intensified in many cities including Rawalpindi and citizens were forced to burn coal. Resultantly, the price of coal has also skyrocketed to Rs100 per kg.
Gas crisis intensified in Rawalpindi and demand for coal increased in the city while traders have been using coal for three months due to gas shortage, the TV channel reported.
Coal prices also soared due to gas shortages, earlier coal was available for Rs70 per kg but now it is being at Rs80 to Rs100.
Met Office
Pakistan Meteorological Department said continental air is prevailing over most parts of the country on Thursday cold and dry weather is expected in most parts of the country, while very cold in upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, north Balochistan, Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan while dense fog is likely to prevail in plain areas of Punjab and upper Sindh.
The Met Department predicted cold and dry weather is expected in most parts of the country, while very cold in upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, north Balochistan, Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan.
Thursday’s Lowest Minimum Temperature (°C): Astore, Leh -12, Gupis, Skardu -11, Kalam -10, Hunza -08, Quetta, Bagrote -07, Gilgit -06, Parachinar, Dalbandin, Zhob -05, Dir, Malam Jabba, Kalat and Rawalakot -04.