Under the recent western system, the rain in the plains of the country and continuous snowfall in the upper areas have closed the communication roads, paralyzing the life system, while the temperature has dropped further due to severe cold.
Several vehicles including passengers were trapped due to landslides in Gwaldi, Upper Dir, WAM is facing severe difficulties while government machinery has disappeared.
A fielder vehicle slipped in the snowfall and fell into a ditch in Shringel Forest Colony, Upper Dir, due to which 3 people were injured and shifted to the hospital.
The rain that started yesterday in Peshawar city and its surroundings had stopped this morning, but after some break, the rain resumed, due to which the intensity of the cold has increased further.
Intermittent rain has also been continuing in the plains of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa since last night, while the third spell of winter snowfall is continuing in the upper areas and mountains.
Light snowfall is continuing again in Chitral city and its suburbs, this is the second phase after snowfall in Chitral four days ago. Snowfall has continued in Lowari Tunnel Area, Kalash Valleys, Madak Lisht and Garm Chashma since last night, while snowfall is taking place in Shandur, Laspur and Yarkhun in Upper Chitral.
Traffic is moving as usual on Lowari Tunnel Road due to snow clearance even during snowfall. The administration has instructed vehicles to use snow chains in Lowari Tunnel Area.
The snowfall in Chitral has further intensified the cold while the demand for firewood for heating has increased, due to which people are facing difficulties in the availability of wood. Firewood sellers in Chitral are charging exorbitant prices.
On the other hand, snowfall that started at night in Swat’s tourist destination Malam Jabba and the upper areas is still continuing. Rain continues in the plains including Mingora city and its suburbs. Snowfall on the mountains has increased the intensity of the cold immensely.
Rain continues in the urban areas of Lower Dir and heavy snowfall continues in the upper areas.
Several feet of snowfall was recorded in the upper areas including Kumrat Valley, Jahi Banda, Badgwai, Lowari Tunnel, Kalpani, Shahi Bin Shahi, Lajbok, Ashirai, Dara Tor, Mang Dara, Laram. The connecting roads to the upper areas are closed due to snowfall.
The roads in the upper areas of Chitral are closed due to snowfall. Due to the closure of the roads, the citizens are trapped in their homes and people are facing difficulties.
Due to snowfall, electricity poles fell in different areas of Lower Dir, Upper Dir and Chitral, due to which electricity was cut off in different areas. Due to rain and snowfall in Lower Dir, the life system has been paralyzed and there is no rush in the markets.
Punjab
On the other hand, the weather is likely to remain cloudy today in various districts of Punjab including Lahore, with intermittent rain accompanied by strong winds and thunderstorms, while snowfall with rain has been predicted in the upper areas.
According to the Meteorological Department and PDMA, the intensity of cold is expected to increase and citizens have been instructed to take precautionary measures.
According to the Meteorological Department, rain with strong winds and thunderstorms is expected in Rawalpindi, Chakwal, Attock, Jhelum, Sialkot, Narowal, Lahore and Kasur, while rain with moderate winds and thunderstorms is also expected in Sheikhupura, Gujrat and Gujranwala and its surroundings. During this time, heavy rain may occur at some places.
Intermittent rain and moderate to heavy snowfall have been predicted in Murree, Galiyat and its surroundings. According to PDMA Punjab, snowfall has been ongoing in Murree since last night and 6 to 7 inches of snow has been recorded so far, while more rain and heavy snowfall are expected in the next 24 hours. Due to snowfall, the intensity of cold has increased in Murree and adjacent areas.
According to the Meteorological Department, rain and snowfall with strong winds and thunderstorms are also expected in upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, while moderate to heavy snowfall has been predicted at some places. The weather is expected to remain cold and dry in other parts of the country. On January 28, cold and dry weather is expected in most parts of the country, while severe cold weather is expected in the mountainous areas.
On the other hand, light to moderate fog has been predicted in the plains of Punjab and upper Sindh during the night and morning hours. According to PDMA Punjab, the control room is continuously monitoring the weather situation and in any emergency, citizens can contact PDMA’s helpline 1129. PDMA has advised tourists to avoid unnecessary travel to Murree and snowy areas and to exercise caution.