Dense Fog Shuts Down Multiple Punjab Motorways, Visibility Drops to Zero

Thick fog enveloped vast areas of Punjab on Wednesday, leading to the complete closure of several critical motorways and major highways. The severe weather conditions drastically reduced visibility, prompting authorities to suspend traffic as a life-saving precaution.

List of Closed Motorways and Highways

The Motorway Police for the Central Region took the decisive step to halt traffic on key routes. The M-2 motorway connecting Lahore to Kot Momin was shut down due to the hazardous fog. This was not an isolated incident, as closures spread across the province's network.

Other major arteries affected include:

The M-3 motorway from Faizpur to Darkhana.
The M-4 motorway from Pindi Bhattian to Multan.
The M-5 motorway stretching from Multan to Zahir Pir.
The M-11 motorway from Lahore to Sambrial.
The Lahore Eastern Bypass.

Widespread Low Visibility Across Cities

The fog blanket was extensive, impacting not just motorways but also the National Highway in multiple locations. The Motorway Police reported dangerously dense fog in Lahore, Manga Mandi, Pattoki, Okara, Sahiwal, Kassowal, and Iqbal Nagar.

The situation was particularly critical in southern Punjab, where cities like Mian Channu, Khanewal, Multan, Lodhran, and Bahawalpur recorded extremely poor visibility. In some of these areas, visibility dropped to between zero and 100 meters, creating an extreme risk for any vehicular movement.

Official Safety Advisory and Travel Guidelines

A spokesperson for the Motorway Police emphasized the grave dangers of lane violations and speeding during such conditions, warning they could lead to fatal accidents. The authority issued a clear set of guidelines for the public.

Commuters have been strongly advised to strictly follow lane discipline and avoid any unnecessary travel. If travel is imperative, daytime journeys between 10:00 am and 6:00 pm are recommended as safer hours.

For those who must drive, the instructions are clear: