The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has issued a warning for January 26 to 27. It cautioned against possible road closures and landslides in the country’s upper parts due to heavy snowfall. The department advised citizens to remain “extra cautious”.
In a statement, the Met Office said heavy snowfall over the next couple of days may trigger road closures and slippery conditions in several areas. These include Naran, Kaghan, Dir, Swat, Kalam, Chitral, Kohistan, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Shangla, Astore, Hunza, Skardu, Murree, Galliyat, Neelum valley, Bagh, Poonch, Haveli, Quetta, Ziarat, Chaman, Pishin, Qila Abdullah, Qila Saifullah, Nushki, Harnai and Zhob.
It also warned of a “possibility of landslides/avalanches” in hilly regions of upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir during the same period.
The PMD urged tourists to remain “extra cautious” and avoid unnecessary travel over the next two days.
Heavy snowfall, avalanches and landslides have disrupted normal life across KP, Balochistan, GB and Azad Kashmir (AJK). The weather has blocked roads, stranded travellers, and affected electricity supply and relief operations amid freezing temperatures.
On Friday, a snow avalanche buried a house in Chitral, killing at least nine members of a family.
Cold winds expected across most parts of the country
The Met Office said a western system is likely to affect southwestern Balochistan from tonight (Sunday). It is expected to spread to the western and upper parts of the country from Monday.
From today, the department forecast mainly cold and dry weather in most areas. It also predicted very cold and partly cloudy conditions in upper KP, AJK and GB.
The Met Office said cold winds are likely in most parts of the country. However, it forecast partly cloudy weather in southwestern Balochistan, with rain, wind, thunderstorms and snowfall.
For tomorrow, it predicted cloudy weather with intermittent rain, thunderstorms and snowfall in KP, Kashmir, GB, Balochistan and upper Punjab. The PMD also warned that hilly areas could receive heavy falls with moderate to intense snowfall.
The Met Office added that rain and thunderstorms are also likely in South Punjab and upper Sindh on Monday.
Shangla remains cut off as roads close and power supply breaks down
Life in KP’s Shangla has remained at a standstill for the fourth consecutive day. Most key and link roads have stayed closed to traffic. Power supply has also remained disrupted across the district.
Residents said upper parts of the district received up to four feet of snow during the recent spell. They described it as the heaviest snowfall in 13 years.
The snowfall has blocked roads and suspended electricity supply, disrupting routine life. Residents said major and link roads, including the Bisham-Swat and Alpuri-Puran roads, have remained closed to all types of traffic for four days.
Local Jamaat-i-Islami leader Dayan Ghafar told Dawn that heavy snowfall has “completely disrupted” life in Puran tehsil. He said all entry and exit routes remained blocked. He also said power poles and transformers collapsed at more than 20 locations in Puran tehsil alone.
Mazhar Ali, a resident of Lilownai village, told Dawn that their link road remained closed to all traffic, confining residents to their homes. He said the KP Communication and Works Department began snow removal work. However, he said the process was slow due to heavy snow on the roads and limited machinery available with the district administration.
Meanwhile, the Chakesar Tehsil administration said in a statement that officials cleared four roads for traffic on Sunday, while work on other routes continued.
Residents of Shangla also called on elected representatives to play their role in rehabilitation work. They named MNA Amir Muqam, Senator Niaz Ahmad Khan, and KP Assembly Opposition Leader Ibadullah Khan.