A large number of tourists have flocked to the snow-covered tourist destinations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit Baltistan on Thursday to witness the fresh snowfall that has blanketed the mountainous region.
According to locals, widespread snowfall and rain have disrupted life in the upper parts of the country, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, as a new spell of snowfall and rain continues.
Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) reported that snowfall has been reported in Shangla, Naran, Kaghan, Dir, Swat, Kohistan, Battagram and Mansehra, Abbottabad, Shangla, Astore, Hunza, Skardu and Murree. Fresh snowfall was also recorded in Galiyat, Neelum Valley, Bagh, Poonch and Haveli while rain lashed across multiple cities in Pakistan.
Sources also reported landslide and major link roads blocked at various points in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s snowbound regions.
Traffic flow has been affected in multiple areas due to road closures and slippery conditions, while authorities have warned of possible landslides in upper KP, Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan. Strong winds and thunderstorms are likely in Islamabad.
In Balochistan, cold weather is expected to persist in most districts. Rain is forecast for Lahore, Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Gujrat and Sialkot, while thunderstorms may occur at a few places in Gujranwala and Narowal. The weather in most districts of Sindh is likely to remain cold and dry.
In Abbottabad, snowfall in tourist destinations has stopped, but cold conditions continue. Galiyat received up to 10 inches of snow, while Changla Gali recorded nearly one foot of snowfall. Temperatures dropped to 5°C in Nathiagali and 6°C in Ayubia.
Road clearance operations are underway in all towns of Galiyat using heavy machinery. Director General Galiyat Development Authority, Shahrukh Ali, said field staff are present to facilitate tourists and urged visitors to take precautionary measures while travelling to snowy areas.
