The city experienced foggy and smoggy conditions on Tuesday as the MET Office forecast scattered rain over the next 24 hours. According to the department, a shallow westerly wave was prevailing over the northern parts of the country. Cloudy weather with light rain or light snowfall at isolated places was also expected nationwide, while moderate to dense fog was likely to form over the plains of Punjab and upper Sindh during the night and early morning hours. On Tuesday, the lowest minimum temperature was recorded in Leh, where the mercury dropped to -8°C, while Lahore recorded 9°C.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif expressed deep sorrow over the loss of precious human lives in traffic accidents and urged citizens to exercise extreme caution while driving during foggy conditions.
In a statement, the chief minister advised motorists to reduce speed and remain vigilant while travelling in fog, stressing that adherence to traffic laws was essential to prevent accidents and protect lives.
“By following traffic regulations, people can ensure the safety of their own valuable lives,” she said, adding that reaching late is always better than not reaching at all.
CM Maryam Nawaz Sharif reiterated the government’s commitment to improving road safety and appealed to the public to act responsibly to avoid preventable tragedies.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has predicted cold and dry weather for most parts of the country during next 24 hours, while very cold conditions are likely in hilly areas.
However, cloudy weather with light rain and light snowfall is expected at isolated places in upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan. Moderate to dense fog is likely to develop over plain areas of Punjab and upper Sindh during night and morning hours.
Partly cloudy and cold weather is expected in Islamabad and surrounding areas. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, cold and dry weather is likely over most districts; however, cloudy conditions with light rain and light snowfall are expected in Chitral, Swat, Dir, Kohistan, Abbottabad, Kalam and surrounding areas.
Punjab will experience cold and dry weather in most districts, while very cold and partly cloudy conditions are likely in Murree, Galiyat and nearby areas. Moderate to dense fog may develop over Sialkot, Narowal, Jhelum, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Lahore, Sheikhupura, Okara, Pakpattan, Kasur, Khanewal, Faisalabad, Multan, Kot Addu, Bahawalnagar, Khanpur and Bahawalpur during night and morning hours.
Cold and dry weather is also likely to prevail over most districts of Sindh, with fog expected over Sukkur, Rohri, Shikarpur, Kashmore, Shaheed Benazirabad, Dadu, Larkana, Tando Jam, Mohenjodaro and Jacobabad during night and morning hours.
In Balochistan, cold and dry weather is expected across most districts, while very cold conditions are likely in northern parts of the province. Very cold and cloudy weather is expected in Kashmir, while light rain with light snowfall may occur at isolated places in Gilgit-Baltistan.