In the past three days, persistent rain and snowfall in northern and upper regions of Pakistan, including the renowned hill resort Murree, have not only led to a significant drop in temperatures but have also brought routine life to a standstill.
In response to the weather conditions in Murree, the administration has been put on high alert following directives from the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA). The hill station experienced a rapid accumulation of 0.5 inches of snow within three hours. The Meteorological Office has further predicted heavy snowfall for Murree and its surroundings in the coming 24 hours.
To facilitate smooth traffic flow, the PDMA has initiated measures such as salting city roads and employing heavy machinery for snow removal from critical routes. The PDMA spokesperson emphasized the importance of disseminating information about safety measures for the public, stating that the administration must meet the needs of the people during adverse weather conditions.
Simultaneously, tourists have been advised to visit the hill station only when weather conditions are favorable to ensure their safety.
Meanwhile, in the Tirah Valley of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), the first snowfall of the winter season has not only ended a prolonged period of drought but has also added a picturesque charm to the area, attracting visitors in large numbers.
In Upper Dir, persistent heavy snowfall has led to road blockades, isolating the local population from their surroundings and causing reported shortages of essential supplies.
Abbottabad and Galyat in Hazara have witnessed heavy snowfall, resulting in bitterly cold weather and severed road connections. Food shortages have been reported in affected areas.
In Lahore and other cities of Punjab, light to moderate rain late Tuesday night has brought about a noticeable drop in temperature. Various localities, including Canal Road, Icchra, Model Town, Kalima Chowk, Jain Mandir, Kot Lakhpat, Chungi Amarsidhu, and Samanabad, reported rainfall.
Even in Karachi, the southern part of the country, light rain on Tuesday night led to a slight decrease in temperature. The Meteorological Office has predicted more rain and heavy snowfall for the northern and upper parts of Pakistan, including Lahore and the plains of Punjab, within the next 24 hours.
