Rain, Snowfall Predicted in Upper Regions, Motorways Closed Due to Fog

News Desk

Islamabad: The weather department has forecast intermittent rainfall for upper parts of the country, including Lahore, from January 2 to January 6, as westerly winds are expected to arrive on Thursday.

Rain and Snowfall Alert

Thundershowers and snowfall are anticipated in Murree, Galyat, Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), and northern areas of Pakistan.

Authorities have issued an alert as the precipitation, influenced by the La Niña weather pattern, is expected to bring severe cold. Tourists planning to visit northern regions have been advised to check weather updates beforehand.

Fog Disrupts Travel in Punjab

Dense fog has blanketed large parts of Punjab, reducing visibility and causing closures of several motorway sections. The affected routes include:

M-2: Islamabad to Balksar

M-3: Lahore to Darkhana

M-4: Faisalabad to Multan

M-5: Multan to Rohri

The fog has also contributed to a significant drop in temperatures across Punjab, including Lahore, where the minimum temperature is expected to hover around 8°C, while the maximum may reach 18°C during the day.

Lahore Among World’s Most Polluted Cities

Lahore has been ranked the sixth most polluted city globally, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 219 recorded on Wednesday. Specific locations in the city reported alarmingly high AQI levels, including:

Adda Plot: 575

US Consulate: 447

Phase 8, DHA: 382

Johar Town: 362

Askari-10: 265

The high pollution levels further exacerbate the challenges posed by the adverse weather conditions.