Rain could bring relief from smog in Pakistan

As smog and dense fog continue to rise, disrupting traffic and causing health issues, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) announced on Wednesday that the much-anticipated rain will begin on Thursday (today), bringing relief.

The Express Tribune report states that according to the PMD’s forecast, rainfall is expected to begin in the upper regions of the country on November 14. This rain is expected to alleviate the foggy conditions and significantly improve air quality, offering much-needed relief to citizens.

According to the report, with pollution levels continuing to be a major concern, it is hoped that the anticipated rainfall will help remove pollutants from the air. Lahore, which had been ranked as the first most polluted city in the world, was overtaken by the Indian capital yesterday.

The PMD forecast also predicts rain, wind, and thunderstorms, with snowfall in the mountainous areas, from the evening/night of November 14 to the morning of November 16, 2024. A frontal weather system is expected to approach the upper parts of the country on the evening of November 14.

Under the influence of these weather systems, rain, wind, and thunderstorms with snowfall are expected in Chitral, Dir, Swat, Kohistan, Shangla, Battagram, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Buner, Malakand, Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber, Swabi, Nowshera, Mardan, Charsadda, Kurram, Orakzai, Kohat, Murree, and Galliyat.

Rain, wind, and thunderstorms with snowfall are also expected in Kashmir, including Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber, Mirpur, and Gilgit-Baltistan, including Diamir, Astore, Skardu, Gilgit, Hunza, Ghanche, and Shigar, from the evening/night of November 14 to the afternoon of November 16.

Light rain, wind, and thunderstorms are also expected in Islamabad/Rawalpindi, Attock, Chawal, Talagang, Jhelum, Peshawar, Hangu, Bannu, Lakki Marwat, Waziristan, Dera Ismail Khan, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Lahore, Mianwali, Khushab, and Sargodha on the evening/night of November 14 and November 15.

Light rain, wind, and thunderstorms are predicted for Quetta, Ziarat, Zhob, Barkhan, Musakhel, Qilla Saifullah, Bhakkar, Layyah, and Dera Ghazi Khan on November 15.

Regarding potential impacts, the PMD indicated that the prevailing smoggy conditions are expected to subside in Islamabad, the Pothohar region, parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and upper Punjab, with air quality improving during the forecast period.

Dense foggy conditions are likely to develop in the plains of Punjab after the wet spell.