Monitoring Desk
ISLAMABAD: Foggy weather conditions with poor visibility continued to disrupt road traffic and railway across Pakistan as four inbound international flights were diverted from Lahore to Islamabad, Sialkot, and Faisalabad, while many trains got delayed in reaching their destinations.
As per the spokesman for the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), flights PK-224 from Dubai to Faisalabad, PK-248 from Dammam to Lahore, PK-244 from Dammam to Sialkot and PK-716 from Madina to Lahore via Karachi were diverted due to bad weather to Islamabad International Airport (IIAP).
The spokesman advised the passengers to check updates with their airlines before leaving for the airport. Travelers can visit www.caapakistan.com.pk or call 114, 0800 00114, and 111 222 114 for flight inquiries.
Trains delayed
Several trains were delayed reaching Karachi due to heavy fog and haze in the plain cities of Punjab. The Pakistan Express train reached Karachi with a delay of over one-and-a-half hours, Pak Business Express, reached at 4:45 pm while it was scheduled to reach at 4pm, Khyber Mail reached at 11 pm instead of 10:15 pm, and Sukkur Express reached at 12:15 am instead of its scheduled time of 11:15 pm.
Pakistan Railways apologized to passengers for the delays.
Motorways closed
As per the motorway spokesperson, Motorway (M1) section from Peshawar Toll Plaza to Rashakai Interchange, M2 from Lahore to Kot Momin, M3 Lahore-Multan Motorway from Faizpur to Darkhana, M4 from Shershah to Abdul Hakim, M5 from Shershah to Hazirpir and M11 from Lahore to Sambrial have been closed for all kind of traffic owing to intense fog.
The motorway police have advised drivers and motorists to use Grand Trunk (GT) Road as an alternate route. They also urged travelers to switch on fog lights and to drive slowly.
Motorway police have requested people to avoid unnecessary traveling.
Recorded temperatures
According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (Met), a maximum of 6 degrees Celsius (°C) temperature was recorded in Islamabad, 5°C in Lahore, 18°C in Karachi, and 2°C in Peshawar, 8°C in Quetta and 1°C in Gilgit.
Minimum recorded temperatures
Today’s Recorded Lowest Minimum Temperatures (°C): Leh -13, Skardu -10, Kalam, Astore -07, Hunza -06, Ziarat and Rawalakot -04.
