Fog throws road, railway, air traffic out of gear in Punjab, Peshawar

LAHORE: Road, railway and air traffics were crippled in Lahore and Multan, while several sections of Motorway were also closed, as thick fog blanketed Peshawar to Lahore, Multan and Bhawalpur making the visibility almost nil on Tuesday morning, Geo news reported.

One motorbike rider rammed into a stationary truck due to poor visibility and was killed at Jauhar town here, while the Motorway spokesman has appealed to the citizens not to travel unnecessarily as visibility was almost zero that may cause traffic hazards.

Chief of Metrological Department, Mohammad Riaz said that the spate of foggy weather was expected to continue until the first or second week of January.

National Highways and Motorways sources said that the visibility was zero on the National Highway from Lahore to Bhawalpur and on Motorway from Lahore to Kot Momin, while Motorway has been closed for usual traffic.

Air traffic at the Lahore and Multan airports remained suspended, while the railway service has also been badly affected.

Motorway police said that visibility on Motorway M-1 from Swabi to Burhan Exchange was only up to 25 meters and, therefore, Motorway M-1 has been closed for all sorts of traffic, while dense fog has engulfed Motroway M-1 from Peshawar to Swabi.

On the other hand, Motorway M-11 from Bhera to Faisalabad also closed for all sorts of traffic, while on the G.T. Road from Lahore to Rahimyarkhan the visibility was totally blurred, Motorway sources said.

Besides, Sialkot, Mandi Bahauddin, Charsadda and Mardan were also affected by the spate of foggy weather, Met. Department sources said.