ISLAMABAD: Intermittent snowfall across several regions of the country has severely disrupted daily life, cutting off road links and restricting movement in numerous areas.
Heavy snowfall has rendered several roads in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Azad Kashmir inaccessible. In response to deteriorating weather conditions, authorities have imposed limitations on tourist access to Murree and the Galiyat, emphasizing the necessity of precautionary measures.
In Azad Kashmir, four individuals who went missing after being stranded in snow along the Reshian-Leepa-Moji road were successfully rescued near Sher Gali. Local residents played a critical role in this operation, swiftly relocating the trapped individuals to safety.
In Gilgit-Baltistan, persistent rain and snow have completely disrupted road connections to all four tehsils of Ghizer district. Snowfall exceeding one foot has blanketed the Yasin and Phandar valleys, while Skardu and its surrounding areas have recorded around five inches of snow. Roads in Kharmang, Shigar, and Ghanche districts also remain closed due to adverse conditions.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has faced significant road access issues as a result of heavy snow in South Waziristan, Orakzai, Lower Dir, and Upper Dir districts. Malam Jabba has reported 37 inches of snow, with seven inches recorded in Kalam and five inches in Parachinar. Landslides have forced the suspension of traffic on the Kaghan Highway and in the Paras area. In the Galiyat region, snowfall measuring up to one foot has confined residents indoors, prompting authorities to discourage unnecessary travel. Similarly, Murree continues to experience significant snowfall, with up to nine inches recorded according to the Meteorological Department.
Balochistan has also been heavily impacted by snowfall, with five inches recorded in Quetta and two inches in Kalat. Life across districts like Ziarat, Mastung, Kan Mehtarzai, and Muslim Bagh has been significantly disrupted. At Gorakh Hill in Sindh, temperatures have plummeted below freezing following the season’s inaugural snowfall.
In rural Azad Kashmir, blocked roads have caused significant hardships for travelers. Local communities are urgently calling for the restoration of roads, improved ambulance services, and the deployment of medical personnel to address the ongoing challenges.
