A thick blanket of dense winter fog has engulfed multiple districts across Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), severely disrupting routine life, slowing traffic, and forcing authorities to close several major motorway sections for safety reasons. The persistent drop in visibility has not only affected road travel but has also contributed to deteriorating air quality in central Punjab, compounding the region’s environmental challenges.
Motorway Closures Across Several Routes
The Motorway Police announced the temporary closure of multiple motorway segments, citing extremely low visibility that poses a high risk of accidents.
The major closures include:
- M-2 (Lahore to Kot Sarwar): Shut down due to almost zero visibility at several points along the route.
- M-3 (Rajana to Darkhana): Dense fog pockets have made driving unsafe, leading to complete traffic suspension.
- M-4 (Faisalabad to Multan): Authorities have blocked the motorway after visibility dropped to dangerously low levels.
- M-5 (Multan, Shershah Interchange to Zahir Pir): Closed to all traffic until conditions improve.
- M-1 (Peshawar to Rashakai): Foggy conditions have severely disrupted travel on this major artery linking KP to the rest of the country.
Officials advised motorists to avoid unnecessary travel and follow alternative routes. They stressed that all closures are temporary and will be lifted once visibility improves. Motorway Police teams are continuously monitoring the situation through field reports and satellite imaging.
Daily Life Disrupted Across Punjab and KP
The unusually thick fog, which typically occurs during December and January, has significantly slowed down transportation across affected districts. Residents reported delays in school timings, reduced business activity, and challenges for early morning commuters.
Public transport services, especially intercity buses, have either been delayed or temporarily suspended. In rural areas, farmers have also expressed concern over the impact of fog and low temperatures on crops such as wheat, sugarcane, and vegetables.
Local meteorologists attribute the dense fog to a combination of decreasing night temperatures, high moisture content, and the region’s persistent air pollution, which traps pollutants near the surface and intensifies fog formation.
Air Quality Worsens in Central Punjab
In addition to visibility issues, air pollution continues to choke various parts of central Punjab.
According to the global air quality monitoring platform, particulate matter (PM2.5) levels recorded Thursday morning were dangerously high:
- Faisalabad: 814
- Gujranwala: 404
- Multan: 261
- Lahore: 218
These levels far exceed international safety limits and fall in the hazardous range, posing serious health risks to residents, especially children, the elderly, and those with respiratory conditions.
Experts warn that prolonged exposure to such high pollution levels can lead to increased cases of asthma, lung infections, and heart-related complications. Hospitals in major cities have already reported a rise in respiratory patients due to the ongoing smog season.
Authorities Issue Safety Advisories
The Motorway Police and local administrations have issued multiple advisories urging residents to take precautions during foggy conditions:
- Avoid unnecessary travel, especially during early morning and late night hours.
- Use fog lights and keep vehicle headlights on low beam.
- Maintain a safe distance between vehicles to prevent collisions.
- Use GPS and follow official traffic updates for road closures.
- Wear masks or avoid prolonged outdoor exposure due to smog.
Furthermore, the Environment Protection Departments in Punjab have instructed industries and farmers to strictly avoid practices such as crop burning, which worsen smog conditions.
Meteorological Outlook
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has predicted that fog is likely to persist for the next several days, especially in the plains of Punjab including Lahore, Faisalabad, Sahiwal, and Multan divisions. KP’s Nowshera and Peshawar districts may also continue to experience reduced visibility during the night and early morning hours.
The PMD noted that fog intensity may fluctuate depending on nighttime temperatures. Slight improvement may occur during the daytime as sunlight helps disperse pollutants and moisture. However, until a strong westerly weather system arrives, fog and smog conditions are expected to remain a daily challenge for residents.
Authorities on Alert
Rescue services, motorway police, and district administrations remain on high alert. Emergency response units have been instructed to stay ready for any fog-related accidents.
Motorway Police spokespersons emphasized that the safety of citizens is the top priority, and no route will be reopened until visibility reaches a safe threshold.
