ISLAMABAD: Smog and fog are expected to persist over Islamabad in the coming days, raising concerns about air quality and health risks.
Islamabad’s AQI on Tuesday morning reached 110, which has consistently crossed safe limits. These levels fall in the “unhealthy” range, posing risks, particularly for children, the elderly, and those with respiratory issues.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has warned of limited visibility and deteriorating air conditions, which may impact daily life in the capital.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) cautioned that smog is expected to persist in the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi from November through February.
The rise in smog levels is attributed to a combination of seasonal changes, industrial emissions, and vehicular pollution.
According to the Met Office, mainly dry weather is expected in most parts of the country during the next twelve hours.
M-1, M-2 opened after fog clears
However, cold is likely in hilly areas during morning and night hours.
Cloudy weather with rain-wind and thunderstorms and light snowfall over high mountains is likely at isolated places in Gilgit-Baltistan.
Smog is forecast to prevail in plain areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and most parts of Punjab, while dense fog is also likely during morning and night hours.
Temperatures of major cities recorded this morning:
Islamabad and Peshawar fourteen degrees centigrade, Lahore twenty, Karachi twenty-five, Quetta seven, Gilgit eight, Murree ten and Muzaffarabad eleven degrees centigrade.