Heavy snow and landslides in Dir, Chitral disrupt daily life; travel advisories issued
Islamabad, Pakistan – Web Desk: Continuous snowfall and heavy rains under the latest western weather system have wreaked havoc across Pakistan’s northern and hilly regions, paralyzing daily life and creating severe travel disruptions. Authorities have issued warnings and travel advisories for affected areas.
In Dir Upper, landslides at Gawaldi stranded several vehicles carrying passengers, while the Wam area faced extreme difficulties due to blocked roads and missing government machinery. At Sheringal Forest Colony, a Felder vehicle slipped during heavy snow and fell into a ravine, leaving three people injured and rushed to a nearby hospital.
Meanwhile, in Peshawar and surrounding plains, intermittent rainfall continues, intensifying cold conditions. Upper regions, including Chitral, are experiencing the third spell of winter snowfall this season, with areas such as Shandur, Laspur, and Yarkhun receiving continuous snow. Lower Dir, Upper Dir, and Chitral have reported multiple feet of snowfall, leading to road closures and isolating residents in remote communities.
The heavy snow and rain have also disrupted power supply, with electric poles collapsing in multiple regions. Local markets in Lower Dir report minimal activity due to paralyzed daily life. Authorities have urged residents to exercise caution, while travelers are advised to avoid non-essential journeys, especially through snowbound areas like Malam Jabba, Murree, and the Galiyat region.
In Punjab, weather forecasts indicate cloudy skies with intermittent rains and thunderstorms in cities including Lahore, Rawalpindi, Chakwal, Attock, Jhelum, Sialkot, and Kasur. Hill stations such as Murree and Galiyat are likely to receive moderate to heavy snow, with snowfall already reaching 6–7 inches in some areas.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) warns that temperatures will continue to drop due to ongoing winter systems, while visibility may remain limited in Punjab plains and Upper Sindh due to fog. Citizens are urged to stay alert, follow PDMA safety advisories, and contact emergency services at helpline 1129 in case of urgent assistance.
Authorities continue monitoring the situation across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Kashmir, where snowfall and heavy rains are expected to continue over the next 24 hours, with potential moderate to severe accumulations in upper valleys.
