Thick Fog Blankets Punjab: all air and road traffic is suspended

LAHORE: In most of Punjab, dense fog caused severe problems for air and road travel, forcing authorities to shut down important thoroughfares and interfere with air traffic.

The morning haze at Lahore Airport made it difficult for arriving aircraft to see the runway. Visibility reduced to only fifty meters.

The resulting challenges led aviation authorities to introduce the Instrument Landing System (ILS) Cat 3 technology. Which is essential for accurate landings in situations with low visibility.

A cascade of disruptions resulted from the system guaranteeing the safe landing of certain planes. While others experienced delays or were temporarily prevented from landing.

closures of motorways
With zero visibility, the motorway network—a vital conduit for transportation—saw widespread closures.

Complete closures occurred on Motorway M2, which runs from Thokar Niaz Baig to Khanqah Dogran. On M1 (Burhan to Peshawar Toll Plaza); on M3 (Faizpur to Darkhana); on M4 (Shershah Multan to Abdul Hakeem); on M5 (Sher Shah Multan to Zahir Peer). And on Lahore-Sialkot Motorway M11 (Mehmoodboti to Sambaryal).

The effects of the fog went beyond cities to include the highways near Dunyapur, Arifwala, and Deepalpur. Where visibility was almost nonexistent and driving was almost impossible.

There were also disturbances in Peshawar. The motorway from Burhan to Peshawar interchange closed due to thick fog on the Nowshera-Peshawar GT Road.

Later, at about noon, a motorway police spokesman said that several motorways were open for traffic.

Fog-related accidents
Sadly, a fatality from the severe weather occurred close to Pakpattan. Where a car crashed into the Sutlej River, bringing attention to the dangers drivers face when driving through dense fog.

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Residents of Burewala faced two attacks at once as the fog caused feeders to trip. Resulting in power outages that left the city and neighboring villages in complete darkness.

The blackout caused mobile phone networks to malfunction in multiple locations.

forecast for the weather
According to the Meteorological Department’s forecast. The foggy veil will remain present for the foreseeable future, highlighting the need for vigilance and caution.

It is recommended that residents restrict their outdoor activities due to the rapidly dropping temperatures and nearly nonexistent visibility.

The people of Punjab are put to the test as they deal with this atmospheric challenge. And officials are working nonstop to get things back to normal after nature’s unanticipated disruption.