LAHORE: The Punjab government on Tuesday announced a change in school timings from Wednesday to protect children from the effects of smog, as one person was reported killed and several others injured on Tuesday when vehicles collided as a result of poor visibility.
Meanwhile, flights remain suspended at Lahore airport and sections of the motorway have been closed for traffic due to the prevailing weather conditions.
The Punjab government announced via a tweet that starting Wednesday, schools in the province will open at 9 am and close at 2:30 pm until further notice. On Friday schools would be closed at 12:15 pm.
Residents of Punjab have been facing problems with the weather for the past fortnight where on one hand dense and poisonous smog has created health problems whereas on the other hand fog, typically associated with the plains of Punjab and a yearly occurrence has now started limiting citizens mobility.
Numerous road accidents took place due to smog in the last couple of days and extreme precaution is being recommended while travelling in the current weather.
On Tuesday, six vehicles bumped into each other near Pindi Bhattian, killing one and injuring six others. Moreover, 20 vehicles collided with each other near Faisalabad-Sial road late on Monday night causing several people to be wounded.
As many as 30 flights were suspended at Allama Iqbal International Airport in Lahore.
Parts of motorway that have been closed for traffic due to dense smog include routes from Babu Sabu Interchange to Kot Momin, Pindi Bhattian to Faisalabad and Faisalabad to Gojra. According to a motorway spokesperson, visibility level was reduced to 20 metres from Lahore to Bahawalpur and Kot Sabzal, Rahim Yar Khan.