Punjab gripped by severe cold, fog

Dense fog engulfed the plains of Punjab and northwest Peshawar division, affecting traffic on highways.Traffic on National Highway at Okara, Sahiwal, Patoki, Habibabad, and Renala was affected due to intense foggy conditions, while the visibility range at Ferozwala, Kala Shah Kaku, Muridke, and Shekhupura decreased to 50m.A motorway police spokesperson said that the Multan-Khanewal section of the motorway has been closed to traffic due to hazy conditions.The motorway from Lahore to Shekhupura and Kot Momin has also been closed to all traffic due to poor visibility, motorway police statement added.Motorway-IV from Pindi Bhattian and Faisalabad to Gojra has also been closed.Similarly, the motorway section from Peshawar to Rashkai in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, has been closed to traffic.The motorway police have advised commuters to use fog lights and avoid unnecessary travel.Commuters can contact at helpline 130 for any travel guidance, the police statement added.In winter, the plains of Punjab are engulfed by a thick layer of fog which affects daily life and vehicular traffic.Poor visibility makes travel on motorways dangerous and also affects the air traffic.According to experts, the thick hazy layer understood to be winter’s fog is noxious smog, carrying serious health hazards.