Rain likely to subside smog in Pakistan

As smog coupled with dense fog continued to scale higher and higher points, disrupting all kinds of traffic and causing health problems to people, the Met department on Wednesday issued the much-awaited tiding that it will be washed away by rain starting on Thursday (Nov 14).

As per the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) forecast, the country's upper regions are anticipated to receive rainfall beginning from November 14.

The rain is expected to reduce foggy conditions and offer significant improvement to air quality levels, providing relief to the citizens.

With pollution levels remaining a pressing concern, it is hoped that the forecasted precipitation will aid in clearing pollutants from the air.

As per PMD's forecast, rain-wind/thunderstorm with snowfall over mountains predicted in upper parts from November 14 (evening/night) to 16th November (morning), 2024.

A frontal weather system is likely to approach upper parts of the country on November 14 (evening).

Under the influence of these weather systems, rain-wind/thunderstorm with snowfall over mountains are expected in Chitral, Dir, Swat, Kohistan, Shangla, Battagram, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Buner, Malakand, Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber, Swabi, Nowshera, Mardan, Charsadda, Kurram, Orakzai, Kohat, Murree and Galliyat.

Rain-wind/thunderstorm with snowfall over mountains are likely in Kashmir including Neelum valley, Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber, Mirpur and Gilgit-Baltistan including Diamir, Astore, Skardu, Gilgit, Hunza, Ghanche, Shigar from November 14th (evening/night) to November 16 (afternoon).

Light rain-wind/thunderstorm is also expected in Islamabad/Rawalpindi, Attock, Chawal, Talagang, Jhelum, Peshawar, Hangu, Bannu, Lakki Marwat, Waziristan, Dera Ismail Khan, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Lahore, Mianwali, Khushab, Sargodha on November 14 (evening/night) and Nov 15.

Light rain-wind/thunderstorm is likely in Quetta, Ziarat, Zhob, Barkhan, Musakhel, Qilla Saifullah, Bhakkar, Layyah and Dera Ghazi Khan on November 15.

About the possible impacts, the PMD indicated that the prevailing smoggy conditions are likely to subside in Islamabad, Pothohar region, parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, upper Punjab and air quality conditions are likely to improve during the forecast period.

Dense foggy conditions are likely to develop in the plains of Punjab following the wet spell.