Authorities warn that the ongoing weather system may cause flash flooding in local streams in upper KP, GB and AJK.
The mercury fell further in Lahore after the first winter rains of the season on Thursday with intermittent rain and a cold breeze, while weather authorities issued a red alert for heavy rain and snowfall in the north of the country.
Rainfall began in several neighborhoods of Lahore including Johar Town, Jail Road, Mall Road, Shadman, Qurtaba Chowk and near Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Light rain and drizzle were also reported in Township and Green Town, while the city remained cloudy with gusty winds, intensifying the winter cold.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has warned that heavy rain and snowfall may lead to road closures and slippery conditions in mountainous regions including Naran, Kaghan, Dir, Swat, Kalam, Chitral, Kohistan, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Shangla, Astore, Hunza, Skardu, Murree, Galliyat and parts of Azad Kashmir including Neelum Valley, Bagh, Poonch, Haveli and Rawalakot.
Officials warned that the current weather system could cause flash floods in local streams and nullahs in upper Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir. The risk of landslides and avalanches remains high in many areas. Tourists have been advised to avoid unnecessary travel and take extreme precautions.
According to the PMD, a strong westerly wave is affecting most parts of the country and is expected to persist in the upper regions. Intermittent and widespread rain, wind and thunderstorms, with snowfall over 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.
Cold, dry weather is likely to prevail in other parts of the country.
During the last 24 hours, scattered rain and thunderstorm were recorded in KP, Balochistan, Punjab and Sindh. Significant rainfall was recorded in Parachinar (88 millimeters), Jacobabad and Sukkur (10 mm each), Khuzdar (12 mm) and Bhakkar (9 mm). Snowfall of up to two inches was recorded in Kalam, Quetta and Parachinar.
The coldest temperatures recorded included -11 degrees Celsius in Leh, -5 degrees in Gupis, Skardu, Bagrote and Parachinar, and -4 degrees in Kalam.
