Fresh western system brings heavy snowfall, rain to northern Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: A new wave of western disturbances entering the country via Iran has brought heavy rain and snowfall to Balochistan as well as northern and hilly regions, accompanied by cold temperatures.

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued an alert for further severe weather over the next 12 hours.

According to the Meteorological Department in Quetta, Ziarat and Qalat recorded snowfall, with Qalat receiving up to 4.5 inches. In Gilgit-Baltistan, Babusar Top and Nanga Parbat areas experienced up to 10 inches of snow, severely affecting movement and travel.

Meanwhile, NDMA’s National Emergencies Operations Center warned that rain is expected in most districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Azad Kashmir, while hilly areas may see snowfall.

In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, rainfall is likely in Chitral, Dir, Swat, Kohistan, Shangla, Malakand, Kurram, Waziristan, Mansehra, Mohmand, Buner, Haripur, Abbottabad, Peshawar, Charsadda, Nowshera, Sawabi, Karak, Bannu, Dera Ismail Khan, and Kohat.

In Gilgit-Baltistan, rain and snow are expected in Gilgit, Astore, Ghanche, Diamer, Skardu, Hunza, and Shigar, while in Azad Kashmir, Bagh, Muzaffarabad, Poonch, Havelian, Kotli, Bhimber, and Neelum are likely to experience rain and snowfall in upper areas.

NDMA cautioned that rain and snow could make roads slippery and disrupt traffic. Citizens have been advised to avoid non-essential travel and follow precautionary measures.

Meanwhile, in Balochistan, rain was recorded in Chaman, Mastung, Noshki, and Kharan, while Gwadar and surrounding areas experienced hail along with rain, leading to waterlogging in low-lying areas.

NDMA has instructed rescue agencies and road maintenance departments to remain alert due to potential risks, adding that the National Emergencies Operations Centre is continuously monitoring the situation and providing advance information to the public.

Relief operations continue

Relief efforts continued in remote and high-altitude areas, including Tirah Valley, Kotli, Nakyal and Leepa Valley, where the Pakistan Army and Frontier Corps evacuated stranded families, reopened roads and distributed essential supplies. A helicopter evacuation was also carried out in Leepa Valley to airlift a patient after ground access was cut off.

Meanwhile, Rescue 1122, Tourism Police and Quick Response Force teams rescued three stranded tourists from Siri Paye after an eight-hour foot operation, safely transferring them to Shogran.

The PMD said cold and partly cloudy weather will persist in most districts of Balochistan, with strong winds and thunderstorms likely in Chaghi, Noshki, Mastung, Kharan, Panjgur, Turbat, Kech, Awaran, Gwadar, Quetta, Ziarat, Qila Saifullah, Qila Abdullah, Chaman and Zhob.

Authorities urged residents and tourists to avoid unnecessary travel, particularly in mountainous regions, warning of landslides, avalanches and hazardous road conditions as winter weather persists.