Heavy rains, snowfall hit several parts of country

Eight die in rain-related incidents; life crippled, thin attendance in offices, educational institutions recorded

ISLAMABAD/MURREE/MUZAFFARABAD: Heavy rainfall occurred in the upper Punjab, including Islamabad and Rawalpindi, and different areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Thursday, increasing the intensity of the cold. Light snowfall also occurred over the capital’s Margalla Hills after 10 years.

Also, eight people were killed in rain-hit areas across the country.A spokesperson of the Met office said that the highest rainfall of 98 millimetres was recorded in Dir, followed by 50mm in Saidu Sharif.

In Lower Dir, two children were killed and three other persons were wounded when the roof of a house caved in due to rain at the agency headquarters, Timergarah.In another incident, six people were killed when their houses collapsed due to heavy rain in Peshawar and Chitral.

Several flights were cancelled at the airports of the country due to the heavy rains and snowfall. Widespread rain with thunderstorms and snowfall crippled life in the northwestern upper parts of the country.

According to the Met office, heavy snowfall was recorded in hilly areas of Malakand Division, Hazara Division, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir. Popular tourist destinations of Naran, Kaghan, Shogran and Murree also received heavy snowfall with many roads blocked, including the Shahrah-e-Karakoram. Mansehra city in Hazara Division also received 6-8 inch snowfall after many years.

Rains triggered landslides in areas of Malakand, Hazara divisions, Gilgit-Baltistan and Hazara Division also received 6 to 8 inch snowfall after many years.

Rain triggered landsliding in areas of Malakand, Hazara divisions Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir. Scattered rain (with snowfall over the hills) is expected in upper KP (Malakand, Hazara, Mardan divisions) upper Punjab (Rawalpindi, Gujranwala divisions) Islamabad, Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir.

Mainly cold and dry weather is expected in most parts of the country. However light rain (with snowfall over the hills) is expected at a few places in Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir in next 48 hours.

Rainfall (mm) in KP Dir 98, Saidu Sharif 50, Malamjaba 47, Risalpur 47, Lower Dir 39, Pattan 26, Peshawar City 24, Kakul 21, Parachinar 20, Kohat 20, Balakot 19, Drosh 17, Kalam 16, Cherat 15, and Mirkhani 11 mm. Islamabad 37, Rawalpindi 34, Murree 17, Jhelum-Mangla 10, Sialkot AP 07, Mianwali 06, Sialkot Cantt 05, Gujranwala 03, Mandibahauddin 01.

Kashmir (Muzaffarabad 31, Garhi Dupatta 20, Rawalakot 19, and Kotli 13mm. Snowfall Malamjabba 02 ft, Murree, Galliyat, Kalam, Kagan, Naraan, and Dir 01 ft.

Below freezing temperatures were registered in Parachinar and Quetta 04, Murree, Dalbandin and Kalam 03 C, and Kalat, Dir, Malamjabba, Drosh and Nokkundi 02.

Tourist Hill Resort Murree received the heaviest spell of snow fall of the season. The adjoining areas of Murree and Galliyat are giving a marvellous look wrapped in white sheet of snow.

Murree has received 18 inches of snowfall while the area of Galliyat including Nathigali, Doonga Gali and Khaira Gali have received more than 3 feet of snowfall. The mercury has dropped to minus two Celsius and a wave of chill is prevailing here.

The roads in areas of Murree have almost been cleared however there are seldom traffic jams in some areas. The weather was clear in the evening which would result serious slippery on roads in the night, however, the salt is being sprayed on roads to control slippery conditions on roads. 

Cold wave has also gripped Azad Jammu and Kashmir as new spell of rain and snow fall starts in different areas forcing the people to remain inside homes.

Heavy rain started at early dawn and remained continued till after noon in valleys and plans while snowfall occurred in upper areas and peaks of mountains causing the normal life activities almost standstill in rural and upper areas.

In Muzaffarabad bazars were witnessed very low turnout lowering down the business activities while attendance in offices, schools and colleges was also reported low due to the continued rain.

Snowfall was reported throughout Azad Kashmir including Sudhan Gali, Lasdana Mehmood Gali, Toli Peer in Poonch division while Leepa Valley in Hattian Bala district and in Neelum District where people were totally confined to their houses.

In hilly upper areas people mostly have enough wood to burn and get heat but in cities and small towns the prices of LPG have gone very high keeping it out of the reach of common people to use it as fuel for heating.