Chilly weather, dense fog disrupt normal life in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD, Dec. 22 (Xinhua) -- Severe cold weather coupled with dense fog blanketed many cities across Pakistan, disrupting routine life in general and causing severe hardships to citizens and posing immense risks to commuters.

According to spokesperson for the National Highways and Motorway Police, the fog has cut down visibility on national highways and motorways as low as 30 meters in certain parts of the country. He said that various sections of the highways have been closed for traffic due to dense fog, according to local reports Friday.

The motorway police have advised people to avoid fast speed and unnecessary travel in the ongoing weather conditions. The motorists have been advised to use fog lights and wipers in existing weather conditions.

Fog triggered low visibility on the road is responsible for a number of accidents in various cities of the country. A day earlier, at least 11 people were killed and 28 others injured after a passenger bus hit a stationary trailer at M4 motorway in Pakistan's eastern district of Khanewal due to the low visibility.

On the other hand, gas load shedding was also seen in various areas where people were forced to make fire to stay warm during the extreme temperatures.

Meanwhile, winter vacations in all government, private schools and colleges in the country began from the day. The provincial governments are expected to extend winter vacations if temperature will further go down in January, said local reports.

According to the Pakistani weather office, during the next 24 hours, cold and dry weather is expected in most parts of the country. Foggy conditions are likely to prevail over central and southern Punjab and upper Sindh provinces during morning hours. Enditem