Dense Smog in Punjab Disrupts Flights and Prompts Government Action
On a foggy Friday in Punjab, Pakistan, dense smog severely affected flight operations, leading to numerous delays and cancellations. According to reports, 11 flights were canceled, and three were diverted to alternate airports. A total of 53 domestic and international flights faced significant delays.
Flight Cancellations and Delays
Among the canceled flights were Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flights PK 340 and 341 from Karachi to Faisalabad. Additional cancellations included PIA flights PK 322 and 323 from Lahore to Quetta, and an international flight, V739 from Jeddah to Lahore. PIA flights PK 281 and 282 from Muscat to Sialkot were also canceled. Four flights from Islamabad to Gilgit (PK 601, 602, 605, and 606) did not operate.
International Flights Rerouted
Due to poor visibility, some international flights had to land at alternate airports. Qatar Airways flight QR 616 from Doha to Multan landed in Islamabad and returned to Multan once the weather improved. Saudi Arabian Airlines flight SV738 from Jeddah to Lahore also landed in Islamabad. Another international flight, PK-244 from Dammam to Sialkot, was rerouted to Lahore.
Government Measures to Combat Smog
The ongoing smog crisis prompted the Punjab government to implement stricter measures, including early market closures at 8 pm to combat air pollution. Authorities sealed 75 shops and several wedding halls in Lahore for violating the early closing hours, and 14 restaurants were shut down for ignoring the outdoor dining ban. Shops and restaurants in various districts, including Shalimar, City, Ravi, Raiwind, Cantonment, and Saddar Tehsils, were sealed for non-compliance with the regulations. These measures underscore the region’s efforts to address the growing smog problem.
Doubts Revealed
Smog -: Smog is a type of air pollution that looks like a thick fog. It is caused by smoke and other pollutants mixing with fog, making it hard to see and breathe.
Punjab, Pakistan -: Punjab is a region in Pakistan, which is a country next to India. It is known for its agriculture and is one of the most populated areas in Pakistan.
Flight cancellations -: Flight cancellations mean that the planes were not able to take off as planned. This can happen due to bad weather, like smog, which makes it unsafe to fly.
Pakistan International Airlines -: Pakistan International Airlines is the national airline of Pakistan. It operates flights within Pakistan and to other countries.
Rerouted flights -: Rerouted flights are flights that are sent to a different airport than originally planned. This happens when the original airport is not safe or available for landing.
Market closures -: Market closures mean that shops and businesses are asked to close early. This is done to reduce pollution from vehicles and other sources.
Non-compliant shops -: Non-compliant shops are those that do not follow the rules set by the government. In this case, it means shops that did not close early as required to help reduce pollution.
