Bitterly cold weather has spread its tentacles across the country as now mercury has dropped considerably even in the country’s southern areas, including Karachi, where the minimum temperature was recorded at 6 degrees Celsius on Tuesday morning, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
On the other hand, extreme cold persists in the country’s northern and central parts as the minimum temperature in Skardu was recorded at -13 degrees Celsius, while it was recorded at -11 degrees Celsius in Astore; -8 in Gilgit and -6 in Kalat.
The minimum temperature recorded in Islamabad was 2 degrees Celsius.
The weather department said that cold winds would blow in the city during the next 24 hours; however, there was no chance of rain.
Three provinces blanketed by fog
Meanwhile, fog engulfed large parts of three provinces, Punjab, KP and Sindh on Tuesday, forcing the authorities to close different sections of the motorway.
M-1, connecting Peshawar to Islamabad, was closed from Peshawar to Burhan interchange.
Similarly, M-2, connecting Lahore to Islamabad, was completely closed; M-3 was closed from Faizpur to Darkhana; M-4, from Sher Shah to Pindi Bhattian, M-11, from Lahore to Sialkot, and M-14, from Isakhel to the River Indus.
Fog in Sindh cities
Temperatures nosedived in Sindh as well after dense fog engulfed large parts of the province.
Routine life was disrupted in cities like Shikarpur, Qambar and Jacobabad after fog reduced visibility on roads considerably, resulting in the movement of traffic at a snail’s pace and forcing parents not to send their children to schools.
Fog also led to the suspension of power supply to different localities of these cities.
The minimum temperature in Shikarpur was recorded at 9 degrees Celsius.
Met Office forecasts rain, snow
On the other hand, the weather department forecast countrywide rains while snow over the hills from next week.
However, the department rubbished rumours doing rounds on social media that this year, there would be record-breaking cold in the country.
It clarified that temperatures during the winter season would remain as per routine.
Reporters: Saad Raja, Ramsha Ismael, Abdul Jabbar Abro, Akhlaq Chandio, Saddam Chandio