RAWALPINDI/ ISLAMABAD: Dense fog descended upon the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad, causing widespread disruption to early morning activities, transportation, and services. The thick fog led to delays and cancellations in domestic and international flights, affected rail services, and hampered vehicular movement on city roads and motorways.
Early morning visibility plummeted to 50 meters and less in various areas of the twin cities, including the Islamabad International Airport, prompting challenges for travelers and transportation services. Meteorological officials predict that the current cold wave and foggy conditions will persist in the Potohar region and across the country for the next few days. Although the intensity of the cold wave and fog is expected to gradually decrease by the end of the following week, the weather will remain cold and dry.
The Meteorological Department stated that foggy conditions are likely to persist in plain areas of Punjab, Sindh, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with no immediate signs of rainfall in the coming days. The minimum temperature in Rawalpindi and Islamabad was recorded at 2 degrees Celsius.
The recent cold wave and persistent fog have exacerbated living conditions in the twin cities, with residents already grappling with power outages and low gas pressure. The challenging weather has led to an increase in cold-related ailments, especially among the elderly and children.
Hospitals are reporting a surge in patients presenting symptoms related to extreme cold conditions.
Health officials are advising residents to take precautions by keeping warm, covering their heads and ears, and increasing liquid intake, particularly through soups, to mitigate the effects of the dry cold. Traders in Rawalpindi’s Saddar area have expressed concerns about decreased business due to a decline in the number of customers.
Transportation services, including roads, airports, and railways, were significantly affected by the thick morning fog. Trains arriving from Karachi, Quetta, and Lahore experienced delays in Rawalpindi. Flight operations of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) and private airlines were also impacted, leading to diversions, delays, and cancellations, causing inconvenience for travelers.
The PIA management announced a change in the flight schedule, emphasizing passenger safety in the face of poor visibility. Both PIA and private airlines urged passengers to cooperate and avoid insisting on operating flights during foggy conditions.
