Heavy snowfall in and around Tirah Valley, Chitral has blanketed the region, transforming it into a picturesque winter wonderland.
In the Tirah Valley, the trees, houses and mountains are covered in a white layer of snow, enhancing the natural beauty. However, locals are dealing with disruptions, including roadblocks and increasing cold, which have affected daily routines.
Chitral and its adjoining areas including Kalash, Garam Chashma, Sheshi Koh and Golen valleys received 6 to 8 inches of snow. Chitral city reported 4 inches, while Ayun saw 2 inches of accumulation.
In the Lowari tunnel area, snowfall has reached thirty centimeters and road clearing operations are underway. Despite difficult conditions, passenger vehicles from Peshawar and Islamabad have successfully reached Chitral.
Upper Chitral regions such as Yarkhun, Khot, Reech and Phasti experienced heavier snowfall, affecting inter-district travel and creating difficulties for employees commuting to work.
As the cold intensifies, neighbors stay at home. The growing demand for firewood has caused prices to rise, further affecting the local population.
Meanwhile, the Meteorological Department forecasts dry weather in the plains and hilly areas of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa during the next 24 hours. Light rain overnight in Peshawar provided a brief respite from the dry cold. Next week is expected to bring more rain and snowfall in mountainous regions.
Weather system approaches Punjab with heavy rain forecast
The PMD has announced that a rain-bearing system will enter the country tomorrow, affecting several regions, including Lahore and much of Punjab.
The system is expected to bring downpours, with a higher chance of rain in and around Lahore on January 4, Express News reported.
The department also forecast rain in most districts of Punjab, with Lahore likely to experience rain on January 5.
The arrival of this system is expected to increase the intensity of the cold and temperatures to drop even further.
Lahore’s minimum temperature was recorded at 6°C, while the maximum is expected to reach around 15°C.
The weather pattern will also cause heavy fog in the region, especially in the morning and evening.
This has posed challenges for commuters as several highways have been closed due to poor visibility. Fog is likely to continue for the next few days, making travel conditions hazardous.
With this change in climate, residents of Lahore and other cities of Punjab are advised to prepare for colder temperatures and possible disruptions in daily activities due to rain and fog.
Also, the first snowfall of the new year in Gilgit-Baltistan and the upper Neelum Valley has made the weather colder in the region.
However, the sky is clear in Murree and Galiyat despite an alert and forecast by the PMD and the meteorological department respectively. The first snowfall of the winter season has exacerbated the public’s travel problems.
The Met Office predicted more snowfall and issued a travel warning, asking local people and tourists to avoid traveling to upper areas of Britain.
