Parts of KP receive snowfall, rain

PESHAWAR: Parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa received much-needed rain and snowfall on Wednesday night and Thursday, bringing temperatures below freezing in hilly areas and disrupting traffic on major routes.

Abbottabad and its surrounding areas, including Thandiyani, Nathiagali, and Ayubia, witnessed the heaviest snowfall of the season. According to reports, Thandiyani received one foot of snow, while Galiyat recorded at least nine inches. The snowfall, which began late Wednesday, continued intermittently until Thursday afternoon.

Rescue 1122, along with the Galiyat Development Authority (GDA) and police, worked to clear the roads and assist stranded tourists by equipping their vehicles with snow chains. Authorities have issued an advisory urging travelers to avoid visiting Galiyat after sunset and to contact local police and GDA before traveling for safety updates.

The upper parts of Hazara division, including Kaghan, Konsh, and Siran valleys, also experienced heavy snowfall, while the plains were lashed by rain. Snow blocked link roads connecting remote villages to the Mansehra-Naran-Jalkhad Road, affecting transportation.

Mansehra, Torghar, Kolai-Palas, Upper Kohistan, and Lower Kohistan received heavy rainfall, breaking a prolonged dry spell in the region.In Upper Dir, snowfall lashed Dir town for the first time this season, covering the surrounding Lowari Tunnel area with 7 to 10 inches of snow.