Severe fog closes sections of motorways across Punjab

Several sections of Pakistan’s motorways have been closed due to severe fog, causing significant disruption to traffic in parts of Punjab.

According to a statement from the motorway police, sections of the M2, M11, and M5 motorways were shut down to ensure the safety of travellers, Express News reported.

The affected areas include the stretch from Lahore to Hiran Minar on the M2, from Sialkot to Lahore on the M11, and from Rahim Yar Khan to Rohri on the M5.

Saeed Imran Ahmed, a spokesman for the motorway police, explained that dense fog reduces visibility, which increases the risk of accidents, especially when drivers fail to maintain lane discipline. He urged road users to be cautious and follow traffic guidelines to avoid collisions.

Motorway police have recommended that travellers avoid unnecessary trips during the foggy conditions.

Drivers have been advised to travel during daylight hours, as the hours between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. are the safest for travel in such weather.

Furthermore, motorists are urged to use fog lights at both the front and rear of their vehicles to enhance visibility. The motorway police also advised against speeding, as it may further increase the chances of accidents in low-visibility conditions.

The closures are expected to remain in place until visibility improves.

Authorities are closely monitoring the situation and will provide updates on the status of the roadways.

As winter fog continues to affect visibility across northern Pakistan, officials stress the importance of road safety and adherence to traffic rules during adverse weather conditions.

Yesterday. the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) predicted that cold and dry weather will prevail across most parts of the country on Wednesday, with hilly areas experiencing very cold conditions. Moderate to dense fog is likely to affect most districts of Punjab and upper Sindh during the morning and night hours, potentially causing disruptions to visibility and travel.

Light rain and snowfall are expected in isolated areas of northwestern Balochistan due to the presence of a shallow westerly wave. The lowest temperatures recorded during the period include -12 in Leh, -11 in Gupis, and -10 in Skardu and Astore.