Karachi woke up to dense fog, poor visibility and very unhealthy air quality on Sunday morning, causing flight diversions, traffic disruptions and a fatal road accident, as authorities urged caution amid worsening weather conditions.
Fog Reduces Visibility Across City
Several parts of the city were blanketed in fog during the early hours, significantly reducing visibility on major roads. Affected areas included Super Highway, Surjani Town, Gulistan-e-Jauhar, I.I. Chundrigar Road, Clifton and Defence.
According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), shallow fog was also observed along the Karachi–Hyderabad corridor and on highways linking Karachi with Lasbela and Rahim Yar Khan, particularly between 8am and 11am.
Multiple Flights Diverted Due to Safety Concerns
Foggy conditions at Jinnah International Airport led to widespread flight disruptions. Officials from the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) confirmed that six international flights bound for Karachi were diverted as a precautionary measure due to low visibility.
Airlines affected included Pegasus Airlines, Etihad Airways, Flyadeal and Gulf Air, with most flights diverted to Muscat.
Additionally:
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A PIA flight from Madina was rerouted to Muscat
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A Fly Jinnah flight from Jeddah was diverted to Islamabad
Airport authorities stated that such diversions are standard safety protocol when landing conditions become unsafe.
Air Quality Reaches ‘Very Unhealthy’ Levels
Alongside fog, Karachi also experienced dangerous air pollution levels. Data from air monitoring platform IQAir showed the city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) at 282 by late morning — a level categorised as “very unhealthy.”
An AQI above 200 indicates serious health risks, particularly for:
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Children
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Elderly citizens
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People with asthma, heart or respiratory conditions
Health experts advise limiting outdoor activity and using protective masks during such conditions.
Fatal Road Accident Linked to Poor Weather
Tragically, a motorcyclist lost his life in a road accident on Clifton Bridge, which police attributed partly to fog, slippery roads and speeding.
South DIG Asad Raza said the rider lost control of the motorcycle and died on the spot. The body was later shifted to Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre and handed over to the family.
Authorities Urge Public Caution
Traffic police and weather officials have urged motorists to:
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Reduce speed
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Use fog lights
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Maintain safe distance
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Avoid unnecessary travel during low-visibility hours
The PMD has warned that foggy mornings may continue over the next few days due to changing winter weather patterns.
Why This Matters
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Fog + smog significantly increase accident risk
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Poor air quality poses serious health threats
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Flight diversions impact travel plans and aviation safety
Residents are advised to stay informed through official weather updates and avoid exposure to polluted air whenever possible.
