PDMA forecasts rain spell, temperature drop across province

The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Punjab has issued an alert warning of rain and a further drop in temperatures across most districts of the province.

According to the PDMA, a western weather system is expected to enter Punjab between January 16 and 19. Heavy rainfall and snowfall are forecast in Murree, the Galiyat and other hilly areas from January 20 to 23, while rain is likely in most districts of Punjab during the same period.

The authority said rainfall is expected in the Lahore, Sargodha, Gujranwala, Sahiwal, Multan, Faisalabad, Dera Ghazi Khan and Bahawalpur divisions.

PDMA Director General Irfan Ali Kathia said alerts have been issued to local government departments, the health department, Rescue 1122, police and the transport department. He directed all relevant agencies to complete precautionary arrangements in advance, in line with the instructions of the Punjab chief minister.

Read: Fog hits Karachi, flights rescheduled and delayed

Emergency control rooms have been instructed to remain operational around the clock, while Rescue 1122 disaster response teams have been placed on high alert.

The PDMA advised citizens to avoid unnecessary travel during adverse weather conditions. Tourists visiting Murree were urged to take precautionary measures and strictly follow official guidelines. Facilitation centres have been set up at various locations in Murree to assist visitors.

Motorists have been advised to avoid speeding and sudden braking, and to use fog lights while travelling in low-visibility conditions. The public has been urged to follow all precautionary measures issued by the authorities. In case of an emergency, citizens can contact the PDMA helpline on 1129, a spokesperson said.

Meanwhile, dense fog has severely disrupted road and air travel across Punjab. Fog was reported on national highways around Lahore, Manga Mandi, Pattoki, Okara, Sahiwal, Ahmadpur East, Mian Channu, Khanewal, Multan, Basti Malook, Lodhran, Bahawalpur, Rahim Yar Khan and Sadiqabad, affecting traffic flow.

Read more: Dense fog disrupts travel across Punjab

The Motorway Police urged motorists to avoid unnecessary travel, advising that daytime travel remains safer under the prevailing conditions.

Dense fog also disrupted flight operations at Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International Airport, resulting in cancellations and delays. According to airport sources, five international flights were cancelled, while at least six were delayed due to poor visibility.

Cancelled flights included those from Lahore to Jeddah and Dubai, as well as two incoming flights from Dubai and Abu Dhabi. A flight from Jeddah arrived more than four hours late, while another was delayed by over an hour.

Passengers were advised to check the latest flight status with airlines before heading to the airport, as fog-related disruptions are expected to continue until visibility improves.

Also read: Dense fog paralyses air, road travel in Lahore, parts of Punjab

In Lahore, daily life was also affected by fog and cold winds. According to the Meteorological Department, wind speed in the city was recorded at two kilometres per hour, while rain was unlikely on Thursday.

In terms of air quality, Lahore was ranked sixth globally, with the Air Quality Index recorded at 186.

The Met Office said medium to heavy fog is likely to prevail in Sialkot, Narowal, Rawalpindi, Attock, Jhelum, Gujranwala, Lahore, Faisalabad, Sahiwal, Multan, Bahawalpur and Rahim Yar Khan, while haze may occur in the Pothohar region during the morning.