Fog, chill go hand in hand in parts of country

LAHORE: As shallow westerly wave persists in the northern parts of the country, fog is likely to prevail in the plain areas of Punjab and upper Sindh on Monday and beyond.

The Air Quality Index in mega Punjab cities including Lahore started worsening with increasing cold weather.

According to the meteorological office, cold and dry weather was recorded in most parts of the country with very cold in northern areas and north Balochistan. Rain, with light snowfall, was also recorded in upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Kashmir and its adjoining hilly areas. However, fog dominated the plains of upper Sindh and Punjab.

The Met office further predicted cold and dry weather in most parts of the country with very cold in northern areas and north Balochistan and rain amid light snowfall in upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan on Monday (today).

“Fog is likely in plain areas of Punjab and upper Sindh during morning and night hours,” reads a press release issued on Sunday. It said that during the last 24 hours cold and dry weather prevailed over most parts of the country with rain and snowfall in Kashmir and upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

It said that Muzaffarabad received 24mm of rain, Garhi Dupatta (16mm), Rawalakot (01mm), Balakot (14mm), Mir Khani (11mm), Chitral (08mm), Malam Jabba (03mm) and Dir, Pattan, Drosh (01mm). Kalam received 03 inches snowfall and Malam Jabba 01 inch.

The lowest minimum temperature was recorded on Sunday at Ziarat (8°C), followed by Kalat, Leh (-08°C), Parachinar, Kalam (-05°C), Gupis, Astore, Quetta (-04°C), Bagrote, Malam Jabba and Skardu (-03°C).

According to local Met office, Lahore and other cities of Punjab are continuously facing severe cold, especially during night and early morning hours.

“Lahore’s minimum tempertaure on Sunday was 10.3C and Jhelum to Okara onward Khanewal, Multan and Layyah recorded 8C. “There is no forecast of rain, as dry and cold weather with fog likely to prevail in the next 24 hours in Punjab,” an official told Dawn. He requested the people to avoid travelling unnecessarily in the ongoing weather.

Meanwhile, Lahore’s Air Quality Index recorded moderate pollution during the last 24 hours. It was recorded as 223 and 224 (PM2.5) with a direction from the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) to citizens to wear masks and glasses, stay hydrated, avoid unnecessary travel and comfort elderly / asthmatic patients.