Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore remain in dry and chill spell as AQI worsens

Dry and cold weather continues to grip most parts of the country, including Islamabad, Karachi, and Lahore, 24NewsHD TV Channel reported on Sunday.

In Islamabad, the maximum temperature is expected to reach 19 degrees Celsius, while the minimum dipped to 3 degrees. Cold winds blowing at a speed of 5 kilometres per hour kept the capital shivering through the day.

Karachi also remains under the influence of a persistent dry and cold spell. The minimum temperature in the city hovered between 14 and 16 degrees Celsius, while the Pakistan Meteorological Department predicted that the maximum temperature would range between 27 and 29 degrees today. 

The current temperature stood at 14 degrees as westerly winds swept the city, with the moisture level recorded at a high 85 percent.

The Met Office further forecast that various parts of Karachi are likely to receive rainfall from January 22 to 23. 

Meanwhile, the city’s air quality continues to deteriorate, ranking Karachi as the seventh most polluted city in the world on the Air Quality Index (AQI).

Lahore fared even worse, becoming the third most polluted city globally, with its AQI reaching a hazardous 339.

The current temperature in the provincial capital was recorded at 6 degrees Celsius, with winds blowing at 4 kilometres per hour.

Dense fog engulfed the city early in the morning, reducing visibility and compounding the effects of the ongoing cold wave.

Reporters: Usama Malik, Aqsa Shahid, and Ibrahim Qureshi