PESHAWAR: Temperature dipped to 2 degrees Celsius in Peshawar on Thursday morning after heavy fog enveloped the provincial capital and its surrounding districts, according to meteorological department here.Heavy fog paralysed life in the region disrupting flight schedule and traffic on the motorway. Foggy weather forced the aviation authorities to cancel outgoing domestic and international flights while two incoming flights were diverted to Islamabad.A Civil Aviation Authority official said that the airport was opened at 4pm after which only two flights had landed. Peshawar is the second busiest station after Karachi airport.Two flights coming from Dubai and Doha were diverted to Islamabad while six flights were cancelled. Hundreds of passengers remained stranded at the airport and could not depart for Middle East countries because of the cancellation of flights.
Vehicular traffic between Punjab and Peshawar via motorway remained suspended since Wednesday night.Police said that the motorway was closed from Peshawar to Burhan interchange from 10pm Wednesday till Thursday afternoon because of thick fog. Police diverted traffic from motorway at Burhan interchange to the G.T. Road.Heavy fog brought visibility to zero in the provincial capital and situation improved after 11am. Fog has blanketed Swabi, Mardan, Charsadda and Nowshera districts which also caused traffic slowdown on the G.T. Road. It was chilly day in the city and minimum temperature was 2 degree Celsius. Weather pundit said that mercury could drop further.
According to the Met Office forecast, cold and foggy weather would persist in plain areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa during the next 24 hours. However, there are chances of light rain in northern areas of the province. SWABI:Cold and foggy weather forced students to stay at homes while attendance in government offices also remained thin here on Thursday.Severe cold and fog continue to grip the Swabi district. The Swabi and Topi bus stands were giving a deserted look, as only a few vehicles were seen there on Thursday morning.When contacted, heads of various schools confirmed that attendance of students was very thin. They said that due to the absence of majority of students it was difficult to carry out teaching activities. They said that the government should revive winter vaccinations – Dawn
