Plains of Punjab, KPK, Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Jummu & Kashmir and parts of Balochistan are in the grip of severe cold wave and dense blanket of fog have disrupted the normal life.
The Meteorological Department recorded minimum temperature as follows: Skardu -11°C, Astore -10°C, Kalam, Gupis -07°C, Rawalakot -06°C, Dir, Hunza, Gilgit -05°C, Zhob, Quetta, Parachinar -04°C, Dalbandin -03°C, Malamjabba -02°C, Bunji, Sibbi, Abbotabad, Lower Dir and Bannu -01°C. The provincial capital continued to be overcast by a dense blanket of fog and hit by piercing cold winds for the eighth consecutive day on Wednesday dipping the maximum temperature to 12 degrees Celsius.
The minimum temperature in major cities of Punjab: Faisalabad 5.2C, Multan 6.8C, Islamabad / Rawalpindi 2.5C Bahawalpur 5.1C and Sialkot 6.3 C. Traffic was halted at several points due to poor visibility in the wake of dense fog.
In Punjab several cities, including Lahore, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Sargodha, Chiniot, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Multan, Okara, Sahiwal, Bahawalpur remained under foggy condition causing a slow movement of road and rail and air traffic. In its daily weather report, the Met Office said that continental air is prevailing over most parts of the country. On Thursday, mainly cold and dry and foggy weather is expected in most parts of the country. The Chief Meteorologist told Business Recorder that the foggy conditions would likely to continue.