Severe cold, snowfall forecast across Pakistan; landslides, avalanches disrupt travel
Pakistan
PMD warns of severe cold, snowfall, and strong winds across Pakistan, with landslides and avalanches causing fatalities and road closures in mountainous regions.
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) - The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has issued a weather forecast warning of cold and dry conditions across most of the country over the next 24 hours, with extremely cold temperatures expected in upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, and northern Balochistan.
Strong winds, rainfall, and snowfall are also predicted in these regions, including Islamabad and northern Punjab.
Heavy rain and snow could trigger further disruptions, with roads in Naran, Kaghan, Swat, Chitral, Gilgit, Murree, Neelum Valley, and other mountainous areas already closed due to snowfall and slippery conditions. Landslides and avalanches have been reported in upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan, including a recent incident in Chitral where nine members of a single family died under a snow slide.
The PMD has advised tourists to exercise caution and avoid unnecessary travel. Minimum temperatures recorded include -12°C in Quetta and Kalat, -11°C in Ziarat, -7°C in Parachinar, -5°C in Gupis, -4°C in Kalam and Malam Jabba, and -3°C in Skardu and Leh. Other major cities recorded lows of 5°C in Islamabad and Peshawar, 8°C in Lahore, and 10°C in Karachi.
