Rare Fog Engulfs Rawalpindi, Courts, Markets Face Delays

News Desk 

Rawalpindi: After many years, Rawalpindi experienced an unusually dense fog on Tuesday, bringing back memories of the city’s traditional bitter winters and significantly reducing visibility across residential areas, markets, and major roads.

From 6:30 am to 10 am, streets, lanes, commercial centers, and all major entry and exit routes were shrouded in thick fog. Motorists were forced to drive with headlights on, while inner-city roads and bazaars remained enveloped in the mist well into the morning.

The areas around the Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) and District Courts experienced particularly low visibility, with objects barely visible until around 9 a.m. The fog finally lifted after 10 a.m. as the sun fully emerged, with cloud cover further intensifying the morning chill.

The weather also revived memories of Rawalpindi’s historic icy winters. Early morning dew covered rooftops, vehicles, trees, flower pots, and markets, with droplets of condensation visible across the city.

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The fog caused delays in the judicial sector, as lawyers, judges, and litigants arrived late at the District Courts, leading to court proceedings starting at 10 a.m. instead of the usual 9 a.m.

Local elders, including Haji Chaudhry Imran and Hafiz Sajid Khan, noted that the fog brought back the cold reminiscent of conditions 20 to 30 years ago. “Fog does occur every year, but its intensity has declined over time. The fog seen on Tuesday truly reminded us of the winters of earlier decades,” they said.

Meteorological expert Professor Naveed Khan clarified the difference between fog and smog. “Fog is a natural weather phenomenon formed when moisture in the air cools near the ground and condenses into tiny water droplets, creating a dense white or grey layer that reduces visibility,” he explained. “Essentially, fog is a cloud at ground level. 

Unlike smog, it contains no dust, smoke, or chemical pollutants. Fog appears whitish, while smog is darker and contaminated with airborne particles.”