LAHORE: The prolonged smoggy spell is likely to end with the rain expected from Monday in different parts of the country.
According to the Met department on Sunday, upper Sindh and Balochistan are likely to receive rain at scattered places on Sunday night and Monday.
Meanwhile, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Federally Administrated Tribal Areas (FATA), Islamabad, upper and South Punjab are to receive rain from Monday to Wednesday.
The MET office explained the rain will help end the current smoggy conditions, but the natural fog will sustain to engulf different parts of the country.
Minimum temperatures recorded on Sunday are as follows: Skardu -03°C; Kalam, Gilgit, Astore 00°C; Islamabad 09; Lahore 11; Karachi 18; Peshawar 11; Quetta 02; Gilgit 00; Chitral 03; Muzaffarabad 09; Murree 07; Skardu -03; Faisalabad 13; Multan 14; Hyderabad 20; and Dir 01.
Rains in Punjab are expected to provide a relief from the thick smog and haze that have almost paralysed the normal life in various cities of Punjab.
Traffic on national highways and motorways was badly interrupted. The authorities have directed the drivers to use fog lights and move in escorted convoys to avoid accidents. Passengers faced a lot of trouble due to the suspension of flight schedule and late arrival of trains.
Fog and smog have particularly affected Punjab. The flight operation at Lahore airport, that remained suspended at night, has been restored after clearing of fog. The situation at airports of other big cities has also normalised.
Some sections of motorway have been opened for traffic, and national highways are also in a flow. However, trains are still hours late.
The smog has also caused respiratory problems and irritated eyes.