Unprecedented fog darkened the plain areas including Lahore on Tuesday morning adding a chill to the already severe cold wave pummelling Pakistan for many days now, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

The fog was so dense in some areas that nothing was visible from just a few metres of distance.

The early morning rush to offices and work was also badly disrupted, slowing down the traffic in cities and highways.

The motorways were shut down last night and there was no signs of their early opening on Tuesday morning. The flights schedule at the airports was also affected by the thick fog.

Motorway M2 was closed for traffic from Thokar Niaz Beg to Kot Momin due to poor visibility, the entire Motorway M3 was shut down at 2:00 am, Motorway M11 was closed for traffic from Mahmood Booti to Sambrial.

Motorway Police and National Highways (MP&NH) spokesperson said motorways were engulfed by the dense fog. Visibility was down to a very low level in a number of cities including Umarkot, Matyari, Narowal, Sahiwal, Gujrat, Kharian, Jhelum, Tilla Gang, Okara, Pakpattan and Arifwala.

Traffic on national highways was also disrupted badly and flights operations at Lahore, Faisalabad and Sialkot were disturbed.

Motorway Police said road users must use front and rear fog lights while travelling. The fog unleashed on the plain areas as snowfall in Northern Areas continued covering the high mountaintops with the while snow.

According to the Met Office, the weather in Lahore during the next 24 hours will remain extremely cold but dry. The recent rains have also reduced the level of smog in the city. 

Reporter Faran Yameen