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Heavy fog in Punjab, Pakhtunkhwa causes closure of Motorways
At least eight persons, including a woman sustained injuries in accidentINP
ISLAMABAD - The fog on Tuesday covered several parts of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa due to which the motorways M1, M2 and M3 were closed.
Motorway police closed the Motorway from Pindi Bhattian to Faisalabad due to heavy fog as the visibility level was zero and they also advised the citizens to use GT Road as an alternative. The visibility at Motorway M1 has dropped to 20 meters, whereas, visibility range at Motorway M2 was recorded as 10 to 30 meters from Islamabad to Chakri Interchange. The visibility at M2 from Bhera to Sheikhupura was 10 meters, however, 0 visibility was recorded from Ravi Toll Plaza to Kalashakaku.
According to sources, Motorway police have suspended the traffic flow at Motorway M2 and have also advised the citizens to travel through GT Road. Further, Motorway police also shut down the routes of Motorway M3 from Pindi Bhattian to Faisalabad. The Motorway officials have also stated that there were severe fogs from Burhan to Peshawar, Islamabad to Chakri and from Bheera to Sheikhupura.
The dense fog is also expected in the coming days and the Motorway authorities have advised the citizens to use fog lights while driving and avoid any unnecessary travel. According to reports, dense fog engulfed Lahore, Gujranwala, Sheikhpura, Multan, Bahawalpur and other areas of Punjab. At least eight persons, including a woman sustained injuries in a collision between a passenger van and a truck due to fog in Gujranwala on Tuesday.
According to police sources, the road accident took place near Kamonki Toll Plaza, when a truck hit the van, injuring eight passengers. The truck driver managed to escape. Rescue 1122 teams arrived at the scene and shifted the injured to Civil Hospital for treatment. The wounded were identified as Hameeda Bibi, Tanveer, Abdul Basit, Shehryar, Abdul Majeed, Najam, Muhammad Akram and Ghulam Abbas. According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department, very cold and dry weather is expected in most parts of Pakistan during next 24 hours.
Foggy conditions are expected to prevail over the plains of Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and upper Sindh in morning hours during next two to three days. Coldest places recorded during last 24 hours include Skardu, where temperature was recorded at -8°C, Kalat, Astore, Quetta -7°C, Gilgit, Gupis -6°C, Hunza, Kalam, Dir -4°C, Rawalakot, Dalbandin -3°C, Drosh, Malamjabba, Murree -2°C, Bunji, Chitral, Mirkhani, Parachinar and Lower Dir -1°C.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk