Dense fog hampers traffic on motorways

LAHORE:  

Traffic in the province has been severely hampered after a cover of fog blanketed all major highways, Express News reported on Thursday. A spokesperson for the Motorway police said that several cities, including Lahore, Manga Mandi, Pattoki, Okara, Sahiwal, Chichawatni, Mian Channu, Sheikhupura, Muridke, Gujranwala and Guhrat, were experiencing thick fog.

Visibility on the roads was recorded to be up to 20 metres. As a result, the motorways from Lahore to Pindi Bhattiyan and Gojra as well as the M2 Lahore to Sheikhupura were closed indefinitely. Motorway officials urged drivers to switch on their fog lights while travelling and to refrain from commuting unnecessarily.

Commuters were also urged to contact the motorway police helpline or to use the mobile application in the case of an emergency. Meanwhile, the meteorological department has predicted that the weather in most parts of the country will remain dry and cold while fog is expected in plains in Punjab and upper Sindh.

Previously in December, a massive traffic jam choked all entry and exit points in the provincial capital. Long queues of cars spanning one to two kilometres were witnessed at all entry and exit points including Shahdara Morr, Saggian Bridge, Babu Sabu, Old Ravi Bridge and Thokar Niaz Beg. City Traffic Police Lahore said that an unusual amount of traffic, coupled with foggy conditions, was the reason behind the traffic jam.