Various sections of Motorway closed as heavy smog envelops parts of country

LAHORE: Thick smog continues to engulf parts of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces, affecting life and vehicular traffic.

Various sections of the Motorway have been closed for traffic due to dense smog and fog causing poor visibility.

According to Motorway Police, M-I from Peshawar to Swabi, M-2 from Lillah to Lahore and M-3 section of Motorway from Pindi Bhattian to Faisalabad and Gojra have been closed due to poor visibility caused by foggy conditions.

The road users have been advised to contact Helpline 130 to avoid any inconvenience.

The provincial government has imposed ‘Section 144’ in the province till December 16 to bar farmers from burning leftover crops waste, which believed to be one of the prime contributors to the smog problem in Punjab.

Punjab has been badly struck with foggy weather condition in recent years in beginning days of winter in the region. The prevalent smog episode is similar to the one that struck the province last year, noted chief meteorologist Mohammad Riaz.

The smog is caused by a lack of rain and immense pollution. Smoke from vehicles, factories and burning of the remains of crops could be one of the major factors behind the dense smog in the province, Riaz said.

Analysts are of the opinion that a spell of heavy rains or strong winds could clear the hazy conditions in the province.