Dense fog in the plains of Punjab on Wednesday made the visibility to very low in a number of cities and disrupted road and air travel and routine life of people while the mercury dropped sharply from Lahore to Karachi, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

Punjab cities including Lahore, Jahanian, Okara, Sahiwal, Pattoki, Mian Channu, Multan and Kharian were completely engulfed by the fog.

Motorway Police and National Highways (MP&NH) spokesperson said motorways from Lahore to Multan, from Lahore to Blixar, from Shorkot to Sham Kot and from Trinda Muhammadpanah to Rohri, Multan to Khanewal, M5 Rahim Yar Khan to Shukkar, were closed for traffic.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X7itelz1lNk

Heavy fog has also darkened Chohang, Maraka, Manga Mandi, Phool Nagar, Jambar, Pattoki, Okara, Sahiwal, Chichawatni, Iqbal Nagar, Mian Channu, Khanewal, Multan, Basti Maluk Lodhran, Bahawalpur, Musafer Khana, Ahmadpur East, Taranda Muhammad Panah, Rahim Yar Khan, Iqbal Abad and Sadiqabad. 

Motorway Police said road users must use front and rear fog lights amid travelling. However, Motorway M3 from Lahore to Multan and M2 from Lahore to Islamabad will be reopened after reduction in the fog, the Motorway Police said.

Flights

Heavy fog around Allama Iqbal International Airport Lahore has reduced visibility limit on the runway and reached 250 meters disrupting the schedule of flights. 

Flight EY-243 from Abu Dhabi and Turkish Air flight TK-714 from Istanbul were also not allowed to land. Turkish Airline flight was also forced to hover in the air, sources said.

The TV channel reported that Qatar Air flight QR-628 coming from Doha also had difficulty in landing while flight IF-341 from Najaf was cancelled.

IF-342 flight to Najaf from Lahore Airport cancelled, flight PK-734 from Jeddah cancelled, PA 416 flight PA-417 from Dubai cancelled, flight PK-306 from Karachi cancelled, Serene Air's ER-520 from Karachi and PA-413 from Sharjah delayed for two and a half hours.

The TV channel reported IF-342 flight to Najaf cancelled while flight PK-734 from Jeddah cancelled, Dubai-bound PA-416 cancelled, flight PA-417 from Dubai cancelled, flight PK-306 from Karachi cancelled, Serene Air ER-520 from Karachi cancelled, PA-413 from Sharjah delayed for two and a half hours.

Temperature

The Pakistan Met Office said a shallow westerly wave is present over northern parts of the country while on Wednesday cold and dry weather was expected in most parts of the country. 

While, very cold weather is expected in northern areas and north Balochistan. However, Fog is likely to prevail in plain areas of Punjab and upper Sindh during morning and night hours, the Met office said.

However, cold and dry weather is expected in most parts of the country. While very cold weather is expected in northern areas and north Balochistan on Thursday and fog is likely to prevail in plain areas of Punjab and upper Sindh during morning and night hours.

In the last 24 hours (Tuesday) cold and dry weather prevailed over most parts of the country, however rain occurred in upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Kashmir. 

Rainfall (mm): Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: Mir Khani 01. Today’s Lowest Minimum Temperature (°C): Kalat, Kalam -11, Quetta, Ziarat, Leh -10, Skardu -08, Astore, Malam Jabba -07, Gupis, Bagrote -06, Dir, Parachinar, Dalbandin -05, Zhob -04, Hunza, Chitral, Kakul, Murree and Rawalakot -03.