Dense fog on Tuesday morning brought life in Rawalpindi and Islamabad to a standstill, disrupting air, rail, and road transport. Visibility dropped to just 50 meters between 5am and 9am, affecting commuters, school children, and office-goers alike. Meteorological officials warned that fog is likely to return on Wednesday morning, with minimum temperatures recorded at one degree Celsius.
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The Islamabad International Airport saw visibility fall from 700 meters at midnight to 100 meters by 4am, delaying several domestic and international flights. Commuters reported slow traffic and hazardous conditions on city roads, particularly on routes like Soan Bridge between DHA and Bahria Town. Residents said driving in such dense fog was extremely difficult, and motorists were forced to reduce speed drastically to avoid accidents.
Train services were also badly affected, with several key trains, including the Awami Express, Pakistan Express, Karachi Express, and Taizgam, running four to five hours late or more. Officials at Rawalpindi Railway Station confirmed the disruptions and urged passengers to plan accordingly.
The Motorway Police temporarily closed sections of Motorways I, II, and III in the early hours for safety reasons. Inspector General Sultan Ahmed Chaudhry, during a visit to the M-1 Motorway and Swat Expressway, emphasised the importance of timely assistance to commuters and strict adherence to safety SOPs during foggy conditions. Special squads were deployed at critical points along the motorways, and contact numbers were collected from travelers to provide weather updates.
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Authorities stressed that these measures were aimed at safeguarding lives and preventing accidents, not to inconvenience the public. Despite the challenges, commuters were advised to remain cautious, maintain low speeds, and follow traffic instructions.