Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Azad Kashmir receive moderate rains

ISLAMABAD: The expected weather shift has swept across northern Pakistan, bringing heavy rainfall to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Azad Kashmir, resulting in widespread disruptions to transportation and power supplies, while the southern plains of Sindh continue to battle an intense heatwave.

Reports gathered by MM News from different areas reveal that in KP, substantial rainfall was recorded in Mansehra, Swat, and the Malakand division, prompting authorities to issue alerts for potential flash floods and landslides.

The situation was equally critical in Azad Kashmir, where light to heavy precipitation battered Muzaffarabad, Nakyal, and the scenic Neelum Valley. The sudden downpour triggered severe infrastructure challenges; notably, the Main Highway was forced to close at Marnat following dangerous landslides that blocked the route.

Further complicating the situation, the Karakoram Highway (KKH) near Lower Kohistan’s Jijal area was shut down due to rain-induced landslides, stranding travelers and halting commercial transport.

The impact on essential services has been immediate and severe.

In the Kundal Shahi area, the Power House was temporarily closed due to flooding in Nallah Jagran, leading to a suspension of electricity supply in several surrounding districts. Local authorities are currently working to clear debris and restore power, though residents have been advised to exercise extreme caution and avoid low-lying areas.

Conversely, the weather pattern presents a stark contrast in the south. While the north faces waterlogging, the plains of Sindh remain under the grip of an intense heatwave, with temperatures soaring to dangerous levels.

Meanwhile, the federal capital, Islamabad, and the city of Lahore experienced light rain, offering a brief respite from the prevailing heat but not enough to alter the broader weather dynamics affecting the country.