Rawalpindi, 23 January, 2024,(GNP): The dense fog in Rawalpindi and Islamabad has not only brought daily life in the twin cities to a standstill but has also led to significant disturbances in bus, train, and flight timetables.
Anticipated prolonged adverse weather conditions are set to endure, impacting daily life and giving rise to concerns regarding the well-being of residents.
Delays and disruptions affected both domestic and international flights, along with disruptions in rail services and vehicular movement on city roads and motorways.
An official from the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) emphasized the ongoing cold wave, forecasting its influence on the Potohar region, northern areas, Central Punjab, and the entirety of the country.
While a gradual improvement is anticipated by the end of the upcoming week, the official cautioned about the persistence of cold, dry, and foggy conditions across Punjab, Sindh, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Also Read: COMSTECH organizes public lecture on game changing technologies
The PMD official mentioned the absence of imminent rain in the upcoming days, indicating a potential for rainfall in the twin cities only after January 28.
Rawalpindi and Islamabad experienced a frigid minimum temperature of 2°C. The ongoing cold wave, coupled with persistent fog, has worsened living conditions, exacerbated by power load shedding and low gas pressure. The severe weather has contributed to a rise in cold-related illnesses, particularly affecting the elderly and children.
The unfavorable weather conditions have not only affected health but have also taken a toll on businesses. The traders in Rawalpindi’s Commercial Market area have observed a decline in customers, resulting in reduced business for an extended period.
Shopkeepers are forced to close their shops after Maghrib prayers due to the dwindling evening market visits, exacerbating the financial challenges already faced by the business community in the country.
Transportation has been severely impacted, as the dense early-morning fog has led to delays in trains arriving from Karachi, Quetta, Peshawar, and Lahore.
The flight operations of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) and other airlines were also affected, resulting in diversions, delays, and cancellations.
Despite the inconveniences, flight operations at Islamabad International Airport returned to their regular schedule in the evening following an improvement in weather conditions.
The PIA management urged passengers to cooperate, recognizing the measures taken to minimize inconvenience during the persistent fog. The situation underscores the challenges posed by adverse weather conditions to both daily life and transportation systems in the twin cities.
