New spell of snowfall to hit parts of Pakistan from tomorrow

Islamabad: The upper regions of the country continue to experience rain and snowfall, with a new spell of snowfall expected to commence tomorrow.

In anticipation of the upcoming weather conditions, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Karam has declared a three-day holiday in schools across Upper Karam and Central Karam.

The Meteorological Department forecasts cold and dry weather in most parts of the country, along with the possibility of light rain and snowfall in Upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan. Islamabad and adjacent areas are expected to remain partly cloudy.

Most districts of Punjab will experience cold and dry weather, while Murree, Galiyat, and surrounding areas are anticipated to be cold and partly cloudy. Similar conditions are expected in most districts of Sindh.

Over the last 24 hours, the highest rainfall was recorded in Islamabad Saidpur at 06 mm and Rawalpindi Shamsabad at 04 mm. The Meteorological Department predicts dry and cold weather in most districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa today.

In the previous day’s report, Malam Jabba received 114 mm of rain, Timragarh 90 mm, Saidu Sharif 77 mm, and Dir 63 mm. Additionally, substantial snowfall was recorded, with 17 inches in Malam Jabba, 10 inches in Kalam, nine inches in Chitral, and three inches in Dir.

Temperatures plummeted, reaching -8 degrees Celsius in Kalam, -1 degrees Celsius in Dir and Chitral, and Parachinar recorded zero degrees Celsius.

Urban and upper areas of Dir experienced record snowfall, causing road closures and power outages. Educational institutions were shut down, and Deputy Commissioner (DC) Kurram declared a three-day holiday in Upper Kurram and Central Kurram schools from March 4 to 6 due to extreme cold.

The harsh weather conditions persisted in Kalat city, where temperatures reached -6 degrees Celsius. The aftereffects of rain and snowfall, coupled with prolonged power outages and gas supply disruptions, have significantly impacted daily life.

Land connectivity between Lipa Valley and Upper Neelam Valley of Muzaffarabad city in Azad Kashmir remains severed for the fourth consecutive day due to snowfall, landslides, and avalanches.

The Roads Department is actively working on the rehabilitation of closed roads, addressing snow removal, landslides, and avalanches in Neelam Valley. Despite challenges, residents of Lipa Valley showcased resilience, carrying a deceased individual over several kilometers in the snow, emphasizing the urgent need for road restoration in the affected areas.