Rare fog engulfs Pindi, disrupts daily life

Covers city from 6.30am to 10am, affecting roads, markets & residential areas

RAWALPINDI:

After many years, Rawalpindi was enveloped in dense fog, reviving memories of the city's traditional bitter winter and severely reducing visibility across residential neighbourhoods, markets, and major thoroughfares.

From 6:30am to 10am, thick fog blanketed streets, lanes, commercial centres, and all entry and exit routes to the city. Residents were forced to travel with vehicle headlights switched on, while even inner-city roads and bazaars remained shrouded in fog well into the morning.

The areas surrounding the Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) and District Courts experienced particularly low visibility, with objects barely discernible until 9am. The weather cleared only after 10am, once the sun emerged fully. Cloud cover accompanied the fog, further intensifying the cold spell.

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

Due to the weather conditions, lawyers, judges, and litigants reached the District Courts late, resulting in court proceedings beginning at 10am instead of the usual 9am.

Local elders, including Haji Chaudhry Imran and Hafiz Sajid Khan, said the fog witnessed on Tuesday was 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 brought back the cold of earlier decades," they said.

Meteorological expert Professor Naveed Khan clarified the distinction between smog and fog, stating that 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.

"Fog is essentially a cloud at ground level," he explained, adding that unlike smog, fog contains no dust, smoke, or chemical pollutants. Fog appears whitish, whereas smog is darker and contaminated with airborne particles.