Dense Fog Paralyzes Islamabad–Rawalpindi: Roads, Rails and Flights Hit

Islamabad/Rawalpindi — Dense fog blanketed the twin cities on Friday morning, badly affecting road, rail and air travel as visibility dropped to as low as 25 metres, according to Daily Times and Dawn. The fog caused major delays during the morning rush before conditions slightly improved after sunrise.

Drivers moved slowly on key routes, including the Islamabad Expressway and roads linking Islamabad and Rawalpindi, as near-zero visibility made driving risky. Vehicles kept headlights on, and traffic remained thin as many commuters chose to stay home. At Islamabad International Airport, heavy fog between 5am and 8am led to delays and cancellations of both domestic and international flights, airline officials said.

Travel Chaos Across the Board  

Road travel was hit the hardest, with cars crawling along highways and city roads. Train services were also affected. Several trains coming from Karachi and Lahore reached Rawalpindi late. Railway officials said train drivers were instructed to reduce speed to prevent accidents in poor visibility, Daily Times reported.

The fog comes as part of an ongoing cold wave. The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) warned that moderate to dense fog may continue over the next few days in Islamabad, Rawalpindi and other plain areas of Punjab, upper Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The weather department said no rain is expected in the near future. The minimum temperature in the twin cities was recorded at 4°C, with forecasts suggesting it could drop to 1°C in the coming days.

Daily Life Disrupted  

The cold and fog have added to everyday problems for residents. Hospitals and clinics reported an increase in patients suffering from cold-related illnesses, especially children and elderly people. Some clinics said they were treating over 100 patients daily affected by the cold. Doctors advised people to stay warm, cover hands and feet, and drink plenty of fluids.

Residents are also dealing with low gas pressure in several areas, making it harder to cope with the cold as winter demand rises.

Safety Warnings and Advice  

Motorway and traffic police urged commuters to avoid unnecessary travel, particularly at night and early morning. Drivers were advised to use fog lights, keep a safe distance and follow lane discipline. Authorities said travelling between 10am and 6pm is safer during foggy conditions.

Officials also asked drivers to stay in touch with the Motorway Police helpline and follow official advisories as foggy weather is expected to continue.

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