A fierce and unrelenting cold wave has tightened its grip on Pakistan, bringing extreme weather conditions that are severely disrupting daily life across the nation. From the snow-locked northern mountains to the fog-blanketed plains of Punjab, citizens are grappling with plummeting temperatures and hazardous travel conditions.
Record Low Temperatures Freeze Northern Regions
The picturesque valley of Hunza has emerged as the coldest recorded place in the country, with the mercury plunging to a staggering minus 21 degrees Celsius. According to data from an international weather monitoring site, the minimum temperature in Hunza was confirmed at -20°C. This intense freeze is not isolated, with other northern areas also experiencing brutal cold:
- Astore recorded a low of -19°C
- Chilas saw temperatures fall to -11°C
- Kalat shivered at -8°C
Fresh snowfall over critical high-altitude passes and peaks, including Babusar Top and Nanga Parbat, has further intensified the chill and severed vital road connections, isolating communities.
Major Cities and Plains in the Grip of Winter
The bitter cold has swept across the country's urban centers, making Sunday morning a harsh experience for millions. Key city temperatures recorded were:
- Quetta: -1°C
- Islamabad: 2°C
- Lahore: 3°C
- Peshawar: 4°C
- Karachi: 7°C
While the southern port city was relatively milder, the plains, particularly in Punjab, faced a different challenge from the combination of freezing temperatures and dense fog.
Transport Chaos as Fog Shuts Down Motorways
The most widespread impact of the ongoing cold wave in Pakistan has been on transport and road connectivity. Dense fog drastically reduced visibility, forcing authorities to close several major motorways for public safety. Traffic was completely halted on crucial routes:
- M-2 Motorway from Lahore to Kot Momin
- M-3 from Faizpur to Darkhana
- M-4 from Pindi Bhattian to Multan
Additionally, entry to the M-5 (Multan to Rohri) and M-11 (Lahore to Sambrial) was barred. The national highway network was also severely affected, with fog engulfing stretches around Lahore, Manga Mandi, Pattoki, Okara, Sahiwal, and Ahmedpur Sharqia.
Traffic movement remained perilously slow and risky in a string of cities including Mian Channu, Khanewal, Multan, Basti Maluk, Lodhran, Bahawalpur, Rahim Yar Khan, and Sadiqabad due to the persistent dense fog. The combined effect of extreme cold and poor visibility has brought normal life and commerce in these regions to a near standstill, with authorities advising citizens to avoid unnecessary travel until conditions improve.
