Snow covers roads, vehicles and trees in Galiyat, Abbottabad, pushing temperatures below zero. Photo: PPI
LAHORE:
Heavy snow and thick fog continued to disrupt transport across Pakistan, causing road closures in northern areas and causing widespread delays to rail services as winter conditions intensified at the start of the new year.
Authorities have closed the Murree Highway (N-75) to general traffic from Phulgran Toll Plaza towards Murree due to hazardous conditions caused by continued snowfall. The route remains open to residents and emergency vehicles. Officials said machines and additional staff from the National Highway Authority (NHA) had been deployed to clear snow and restore traffic as soon as conditions improved.
The closure comes amid an influx of tourists heading to hill stations following the first major snowfall of the season in Murree, Galiyat, Nathiagali and Thandiani. Abbottabad and surrounding areas also received snowfall and rain, further intensifying the cold weather.
The Galiyat region experienced snowfall on the first day of the new year, while power supply along the Abbottabad-Murree road was suspended due to slippery conditions. Shogran recorded more than five inches of snow, while Kaghan district received more than two inches, complicating travel in the region.
In Azad Kashmir, rain and snowfall persisted for the third consecutive day. Heavy snowfall was reported in Neelum and Leepa valleys, while intermittent rains in Muzaffarabad led to the closure of several link roads due to hazardous conditions.
In its weather advisory issued on January 1, 2026, the PMD warned that snowfall could lead to road closures and slippery conditions in Naran, Kaghan, Dir, Swat, Kohistan, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Shangla, Astore, Hunza, Skardu, Murree, Galliyat, Neelum Valley, Bagh, Poonch and Haveli.
The department also warned of the risk of landslides and avalanches in upper KP, GB and Kashmir.
The PMD also forecasts that fog is likely to persist over the plains of the country during the morning and night. Dense fog in these areas has severely disrupted train operations, leaving thousands of passengers stranded at stations and facing prolonged delays.
