Smog kills: Accidents in Punjab claim one life, injure 14

One person was killed while 14 others were injured in different road accidents on Thursday that took place due to low visibility caused by smog in Punjab.

Both the accidents took place in Faisalabad.

On Jhang Road, seven vehicles bumped into each other on a single spot as thick layers of smog blanketed the air lowering visibility. The accident left five people injured, who were taken to the hospital, according to rescue sources.

In another accident, a motorbike hit a donkey cart killing one person and injuring another, according to the police. The accident took place on Kalyanwala Road in Mamukanjan town of Faisalabad. Others were injured in similar incidents in different areas of Punjab.

As smog persisted across the province, low levels of visibility were recorded in many cities Thursday morning.

According to the meteorological department, minimum visibility was recorded at 400 metres in Faisalabad, while in Lahore it was 300 metres. In Sahiwal and Toba Tek Singh it was 20 metres.

The motorway police have issued instructions to drivers to reduce speed and switch on fog lights to avoid any untoward incident.

Chief Meteorologist Mohammad Riaz has attributed the lack of rain, pollution, smoke from vehicles, factories and burnt crops to the worsening smog situation in the cities.

He said the pollution could only be washed away by rain or strong winds.

Smog, also known as ground-level ozone, is a thick yellowish black fog which suspends in the air.

It is caused when air pollution, emissions and fumes combine with fog and sunlight, forming a thick layer of smoke-like film in the atmosphere. According to experts, emissions from industries and vehicles and cutting of trees worsen the phenomenon.