Dense fog causes power breakdown

Morning traffic, business activities disrupted

BAHAWALPUR:

An hours-long power breakdown hit Bahawalpur and adjoining areas on Sunday night as 500kV transmission lines tripped due to dense fog.

According to Multan Electricity Supply Company (MEPCO) sources, heavy mist affected the high voltage transmission lines, which resulted in the overnight power breakdown in the region.

The power supply to some areas was restored after 9:00am on Monday, while efforts were under way for complete restoration of supply to all the areas, they added.

The very dense fog decreased visibility in Bahawlapur to 10 metres in the morning, disrupting routine activities.

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Smog begun forming during the night and engulfed the entire region, drastically decreasing the visibility level.

The smog forced residents to remain indoors to avoid accidents and health risks.

There was scant traffic in the city with very few vehicles plying on the city roads in the morning.

The mist also disrupted business activities as a low number of customers was witnessed in the markets.

The local Met Office forecast more fog for Bahawalpur during the next 24 hours.

The highest maximum temperature of 23 degrees and minimum of 11 degrees Celsius were recorded during the past 24 hours.

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Fog was also forecast for the rest of the region.

However, the Met Office predicted that the region might receive rain on later days.

Meanwhile, a man was killed after his car fell into the Sutlej river amidst thick smog near Pakpattan early in the morning.

According to rescue sources, the accident took place after a driver lost control over his vehicle at a steep curve due to smog and lost his life on the spot.

Police and rescue teams retrieved the body and shifted it to a nearby hospital.

The sources said heavy machinery was being used to pull the car out of the river.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 26^th, 2023.