Pakistan Bracing for Rainy Weather, Relief from Smog Looms

Pakistan is preparing for heavy rain and snowfall over the next three days, bringing some much-needed relief to the country's smog-stricken cities. A series of westerly winds are expected to bring rain to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan, while the plains of Punjab, including Islamabad and Rawalpindi, will also experience rain.

The Met Department has issued a warning for strong winds, thunderstorms, and partly cloudy weather in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, Kashmir, Upper Punjab, Islamabad, and Northeastern Balochistan over the next 24 hours. This weather system is expected to ease the smog that has plagued cities like Lahore and Multan in the past month. The smog has reached hazardous levels, with Lahore ranking the second most polluted city globally and Multan reporting alarming air quality levels.

The Provincial Disaster Management Authority's Director General, Irfan Ali Kathia, has urged citizens to take precautions to protect themselves from the smog and advised against unnecessary travel in bad weather conditions. Kathia also recommended the use of fog lights while traveling. The Lahore district administration has taken measures to mitigate the impact of smog, including closing markets at 8 pm and restricting outdoor dining. The National Highway and Motorway Police has also closed several motorways due to poor visibility.

In an effort to address the rising air pollution, the Multan district administration has launched an anti-smog crackdown, taking action against vehicles and brick kilns that contribute to the problem. The weather forecast for November 16 predicts a cloudy sky with mist and hazy conditions in the morning, with light rains or drizzles expected across the city. The maximum temperature is expected to be 32°C, and the minimum temperature 21.2°C.

The upcoming rain and snowfall are expected to bring some relief to Pakistan's smog-stricken cities. As the country prepares for the weather change, authorities are urging citizens to take necessary precautions to stay safe during the bad weather conditions.