Severe snowfall disrupts life in northern areas, roads blocked and tourists stranded

Severe snowfall in the upper regions of the country has paralyzed normal life. Road closures at several locations have stranded tourists, while two people lost their lives in different accidents.

A snowstorm continues in the northern upper areas of Baluchistan. Dozens of tourist vehicles heading to Ziarat have been stranded on the Quetta–Ziarat highway, while more than 100 tourists remain stuck in their vehicles in and around Chaman.

Traffic has been severely affected at several locations on the N-50 highway, including Kan Mehterzai, Khanozai, and Muslim Bagh. Due to snow and slippery conditions, passenger and freight vehicles have been stranded on this interprovincial highway. On the N-50, 27 people were injured in 9 different accidents.

In Tirah Valley, rainfall and heavy snowfall have trapped around 100 vehicles on the road, and rescue operations are underway.

At Kojak Top, strong Siberian winds have caused temperatures on the N-25 Chaman–Quetta–Karachi highway to drop to minus 12 degrees Celsius.

Near Shelabagh, several vehicles collided due to slippery conditions, resulting in 2 deaths and 7 injuries. Quetta also received its first snowfall of the winter season.

Meanwhile, heavy snowfall has also occurred in the upper areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including Mansehra, Upper Galiyat, Shangla, Lower Dir, Mohmand, Kalam, Orakzai, Chitral, and Khyber.

In various areas of Tirah Valley in Khyber District, rainfall and snowfall have trapped around 100 vehicles, and 35 people have been shifted to safer locations.

In Shangla, heavy snowfall disrupted the electricity system, while in Chitral, several link roads have been closed to traffic due to snowfall.

In Karachi, the highest rainfall today was recorded in Surjani Town, according to released data.

At the tourist destination Naran, 6 inches of snow has fallen, while Shogran has received one and a half inches of snowfall. Tourists have reached Shogran to enjoy the snowfall.

In the upper areas of Astore District in Gilgit-Baltistan, snowfall ranging from two to three feet has been recorded. Land routes to all upper areas have been cut off, forcing residents to remain confined to their homes.

Snowfall has also occurred in Hunza and Nagar. In the earthquake-affected area of Chipurson, snowfall has increased the difficulties of displaced people living in tents.

In Chilas, Babusar Top, Nanga Parbat, Batogah, Darel, and Tangir, snowfall has intensified the cold.

Rain has fallen in various areas of Azad Kashmir, while intermittent snowfall continues in upper regions including Hattian Bala, Chanar, Chakothi, Leepa Valley, Ganga Choti, Arang Kel, Gres, and Sargan Valley.

Snowfall continues in Murree, due to which the Murree Expressway has been partially closed to general traffic.