LAHORE – Dense fog continues to prevail in various cities of Punjab on Monday, prompting authorities to close several sections of motorways due to zero visibility.
A spokesman for the motorway police stated that due to zero visibility, the M-5 motorway from Multan to Sukkur and the Lahore-Sialkot section have been closed for all traffic.
Motorway authorities have also closed the M-2 from Lahore to Bhaira, M-3 from Lahore to Dera Ghazi Khan, and M-4 from Multan to Pindi Bhattian due to the fog.
As a result of the severe fog, flight operations in Punjab have also been affected, with six flights from Multan being canceled.
Meanwhile, a total of 34 flights nationwide have been delayed, including both domestic and international flights.
on the other hand, Lahore continues to top the global rankings for the most polluted cities in the world. According to IQAir, the air quality in the Punjab capital is hazardous with AQI standing at 507 followed by Delhi at the second spot.
PM2.5 concentration in Lahore is currently 65.8 times the WHO annual air quality guideline value, the air quality monitoring website said.
The situation has forced the government to close schools and colleges in different cities of the province in order to saving students from diseases.
Furthermore, wearing a face mask has also been declared mandatory by the government.