RAWALPINDI: Disruption of flights, train service, and road traffic on the motorway continued on Thursday as several flights, including 12 flights of Pakistan International Airlines, were either delayed or cancelled due to foggy weather and poor visibility.

The thick fog that blanketed the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad from Wednesday night until Thursday morning threw city life out of gear.

About 40 domestic and international flights and over 20 train services were affected due to the weather conditions. Besides, the motorway remained closed until the afternoon.

According to the aviation weather centre, the visibility at the Islamabad International Airport was 2 kilometres at 8.30 pm and is likely to further reduce to 100 metres after midnight, while the wind will be normal.

A spokesman for PIA said that twelve flights of PIA, including private airlines, were affected due to the weather conditions. He said some international and domestic flights were cancelled due to foggy weather on Thursday.

The cancelled flights were to Muscat, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Dammam, Jeddah, Karachi, and Lahore.

He said that PIA flight PK-601 from Islamabad to Gilgit was cancelled, while PIA flight PK-605 for Gilgit was delayed.

A PIA flight PK 284 was diverted from Peshawar to Islamabad; a PIA flight PK 245 from Islamabad to Dammam departed with delay, said the spokesman.

Likewise, a PIA flight PK161 departing from Islamabad to Abu Dhabi was also delayed.

Flights for Muscat, Jeddah PK 291, and PK 965 were delayed, said the spokesman.

Dubai flights PK 233 and PK 211 were also delayed due to weather, while PIA flight PK 301 from Islamabad to Karachi was also delayed.

Passengers must check details on the airport helpline before arrival and departure. Spokesperson PIA

The spokesman for the Motorway Police said that Motorways I, II, and III were opened on Thursday afternoon. However, he said that on Thursday evening, again at 6:20 pm, the Motorway-I closed from Peshawar to Burhan, while the Swat Expressway from Col. Sher Khan to Chakdara was also closed.

He said that citizens are requested to avoid unnecessary travel during foggy hours, complete their journey in daylight, reach their destination before the onset of fog, and also use fog lights in vehicles.

The spokesman for Motorway Police said that information can be obtained from Motorway Police Helpline 130 before starting the journey.

The train service was also affected due to foggy weather conditions; almost all the trains coming to Rawalpindi from Karachi, Lahore, and Multan were delayed from four to six hours on Thursday.

The Met Office predicted that the temperature would drop further and dense fog would grip the twin cities on Friday.

Published in Dawn, January 5th, 2024