Punjab motorways closed amid NDMA alert on intense fog
Punjab motorways closed amid NDMA alert on intense fog as dense weather conditions continued to disrupt daily life across several districts of the province, significantly reducing visibility and forcing authorities to suspend traffic on major highways, officials confirmed on Saturday.
According to reports, a thick blanket of fog engulfed large parts of Punjab during the night and early morning hours, prompting the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to issue an alert warning that intense fog conditions are expected to persist over the next three days in South and Central Punjab. The prevailing weather conditions have raised serious concerns for road safety, particularly during nighttime and early morning travel.
Motorway authorities announced the closure of multiple motorway sections due to dangerously low visibility. The Motorway M-2 has been closed for traffic from Lahore to Islamabad, while the M-3 motorway connecting Lahore and Multan has also been shut. Officials said the decision was taken to prevent possible accidents amid the worsening fog situation.
In addition, the M-4 motorway section from Faisalabad to Multan has been closed, along with the M-5 stretch connecting Multan to Zahir Pir. Traffic on the Lahore to Sialkot M-11 motorway has also been suspended until weather conditions improve. Motorway officials stated that continuous monitoring is underway and routes will only reopen once visibility levels return to safe limits.
The NDMA, in its advisory, stated that a dense layer of fog is likely to affect several major districts including Lahore, Jhang, Multan, Khanewal, Mian Channu, Sahiwal, Okara, Pakpattan, Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Lodhran and Vehari. Residents of these areas have been advised to exercise extreme caution, particularly while commuting during early morning and late night hours.
The alert further mentioned that foggy conditions are also expected to affect areas surrounding Sukkur in upper Sindh, while Islamabad may experience fog during night and morning hours. Authorities have warned that sudden drops in visibility could increase the risk of road accidents if precautionary measures are not followed.
Motorway Police have urged drivers to strictly adhere to safety guidelines, including the use of fog lights, maintaining safe distances, and avoiding unnecessary travel during dense fog. Officials emphasized that high-speed driving under such conditions could prove fatal and appealed to the public to cooperate with law enforcement agencies for their own safety.
Weather experts have attributed the prolonged fog spell to seasonal changes combined with low wind movement and increased moisture levels in the air. The situation is expected to gradually improve once weather patterns shift, but until then, authorities remain on high alert.
Punjab motorways closed amid NDMA alert on intense fog has once again highlighted the recurring winter challenge faced by commuters each year, with officials stressing that public awareness and compliance with safety advisories remain critical to preventing loss of life and property.
