People gather along a snow-covered area near the Pak-Afghan border in Chaman. Photo: AFP
ISLAMABAD:
A cold snap swept across much of the country after rain and snow fell across a large swath of territory on Thursday.
According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), rains and heavy snowfall affected all provinces as well as northern areas, with the National Disaster Management Authority asking citizens to take precautions.
Naran, Kaghan, Dir, Swat, Kalam, Chitral, Kohistan, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Shangla, Astore, Hunza, Skardu, Murree, Galiyat, Neelum Valley, Bagh, Poonch, Haveli and Rawalakot experienced heavy rain and snowfall.
In Punjab, intermittent rains and widespread thunderstorms hit major cities, including Rawalpindi and Lahore.
Balochistan and KP also experienced widespread intermittent rain and snow in all major districts.
In Sindh, the weather turned cold and Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur and Larkana received light rains.
According to the PMD, a strong westerly wave is affecting most parts of the country and is expected to persist in upper regions until Thursday.
Widespread intermittent rain, wind and thunderstorms – with snowfall on hills – are forecast for Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, Islamabad and upper and central Punjab. Moderate to heavy rain and snow may occur at higher elevations.
On Friday (today), similar conditions are expected in upper Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, northeast Punjab, Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, while cold and dry weather is expected to prevail in other parts of the country.
During the last 24 hours, scattered rains and thunderstorms were recorded in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, Punjab and Sindh. Heavy rainfall was reported in Parachinar (88 millimeters), Jacobabad and Sukkur (10 millimeters each), Khuzdar (12 millimeters) and Bhakkar (9 millimeters). Snowfall of up to two inches was recorded in Kalam, Quetta and Parachinar.
The coldest temperatures recorded included minus 11 degrees Celsius in Leh, minus 5 degrees in Gupis, Skardu, Bagrote and Parachinar and minus 4 degrees in Kalam.
The National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC) of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued a weather alert.
It advises the public to avoid non-essential travel to high-altitude and snow-prone areas and to ensure the use of snow chains where travel is unavoidable.
Citizens are urged to make adequate arrangements for heating, warm clothing and shelter, paying particular attention to the protection of vulnerable populations, the statement added.
Local communities are advised to remain vigilant and strictly follow the advisories issued by the relevant local authorities. The NDMA has ordered all provincial and district authorities to remain on alert and ensure preparedness for snow clearance operations, emergency response and timely restoration of essential services including electricity and communications.
