Dense fog over Karachi reduces visibility, disrupts flight operation

• Visibility dropped to 100 m in parts of city, troubling commuters.
• Visibility at Karachi's airport falls to just 50 meters, says PMD.
• Departures of at least 10 flights affected due to dense fog.
  

Different areas of Karachi were engulfed in dense fog on Thursday morning, as visibility in some parts of the city dropped to as low as 50 meters, causing difficulties for commuters and disrupting flight operations during early morning hours.

According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department, severe fog reduced visibility to 50 meters at Karachi's Jinnah International Airport, leading to the suspension of flight operations.

The visibility has also been affected in Malir, Scheme 33, and other areas of the city.

Due to poor visibility, departures of at least 10 flights were affected, while two alternate flights managed to take off, as per the flight schedule.

Doha–Karachi flight QR 610 and Jeddah–Karachi flight F 3829 were diverted to Muscat. Another Jeddah-origin foreign flight continued circling over the Arabian Sea, awaiting clearance to land.

Three Karachi–Islamabad flights could not depart, while Karachi–Istanbul flights TK 709 and PC 130 remained on hold. Abu Dhabi flight EY 299, Muscat flight OV 514, Karachi–Lahore flight PK 302, and Riyadh-bound flight F 3662 were also unable to take off.

According to weather analysts, an unusual increase in humidity has been recorded due to a change in wind direction.

Humidity levels in Karachi have risen sharply, ranging between 85% and 95%. The PMD confirmed that the current humidity stands at 93%.

According to officials, the fog is likely to persist as light winds combined with high moisture content in the air are preventing it from clearing quickly. Citizens have been advised to drive carefully, as fog and road slipperiness pose serious risks.

The foggy conditions are not limited to Karachi, as similar weather is expected in Hyderabad, Sujawal, Gharo, Badin, Hub, Bela, Othal, and Jamshoro.

Meanwhile, air pollution in Karachi has worsened, with the city ranked as the second most polluted city (currently third) in the world. The air quality index has reached a hazardous level of 218 AQI, raising health concerns for residents.

The Met Office reported that over the next 24 hours, Karachi's maximum temperature will remain between 24 and 26 degrees Celsius. Cold and dry weather is expected to continue.