RAWALPINDI: The intense cold wave coupled with thick fog gripped the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad on Tuesday, with the Met Office predicting more fog on Wednesday (today).

Ther thick fog disrupted many domestic and international flights and train services, and the motorway remained closed for normal traffic till the afternoon on Tuesday.

“The twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad on Tuesday witnessed the dense fog,” said a senior official of the Pakistan Meteorological Department. “The visibility remained 100 metres in twin cities at 1am and below 50 metres from 5am to 8am, while the sun overpowered the fog after 11am,” he said.

The minimum temperature was recorded at 2.8 degrees Celsius in Islamabad and 3 degrees Celsius in Rawalpindi.

“We forecast the same weather conditions for Wednesday as the fog started creeping in Rawalpindi near the Kashmir Expressway at 8pm on Tuesday, which is likely to grip the twin cities on Wednesday morning,” the official said.

Some journeys were rescheduled at Islamabad International Airport, Rawalpindi Railway Station, and on the roads in Rawalpindi and Islamabad. The city traffic moved at a snail’s pace on G. T. Road, as the visibility had not improved until the afternoon.

The office goers faced difficulties while going to their destinations. Most people arrived late to their offices.

“The flights from Islamabad to Karachi were rescheduled from 10am to 4pm. Flight from Islamabad to Gilgit departed at 3:05pm instead of scheduled time 10am. Other domestic and international flights were delayed,” said airport officials.

“The fog all around Punjab has badly affected trains. Trains to Lahore and Karachi have been late by four to five hours or more,” said a Pakistan Railways official at Rawalpindi Railway Station. The worst affected trains are the Awami Express, Quetta Express, Pakistan Express, Jaffar Express, Karachi Express, Taizgam, and night coaches.

The spokesman for the Motorway Police said that Motorways I, II, and III were opened for traffic in the afternoon. He said that the Motorway police deputed a special squad at some spots for the safety of commuters. He also said that the police were getting the cell phone numbers of the motorway users to provide them with the latest information on weather conditions during their journey on the motorway.

Published in Dawn, January 3rd, 2024