Several feet of snow have hit northern Pakistan, bringing daily life to a halt and creating serious travel problems. Roads have been blocked, power supply has been disrupted, and authorities have advised tourists to avoid traveling to mountainous areas until conditions improve.
Heavy snowfall has been reported across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, and parts of Balochistan. Areas including Swat, Malam Jabba, Chitral, Mansehra, Waziristan, and Upper Dir have been badly affected. Burzal Top recorded nearly six feet of snow, while Murree, Nathia Gali, and Bishi received around three feet.
The extreme weather has left many tourists stranded in popular hill stations. Hundreds of visitors remain stuck in Murree, Ayubia, and Nathia Gali after key roads were closed. Authorities have urged tourists to postpone trips to these regions due to safety concerns. Expressway and Old Murree Road were closed, worsening the situation.
In Kaghan Valley, officials imposed a ban on tourist entry to prevent accidents. Heavy snowfall in Tirah Valley and Shangla Top stranded several vehicles. Four tourists trapped in Shangla Top were safely rescued. In Chitral, the Lowari Tunnel Road received nearly three feet of snow, while Upper Dir mountains recorded up to eight feet.
Tragically, one man traveling from Rawalpindi to Bagh in Azad Kashmir lost his life after being caught in a snowstorm. He was identified as Raja Ikhlaq. Several highways in Azad Kashmir were also declared unsafe for traffic.
Cold conditions have intensified across the country. Nathia Gali recorded a minimum temperature of minus nine degrees Celsius. Abbottabad dropped to minus four degrees. Islamabad recorded three degrees, while Lahore fell to the same level after rain.
Balochistan witnessed a record-breaking cold wave. Temperatures dropped to minus 13 in Ziarat and minus 10 in Quetta. Water pipelines froze, forcing residents to stay indoors.
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The Met Office has warned that more snowfall is expected in northern regions over the next two days. Authorities fear avalanches in upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. Tourists are strongly advised to follow official updates and avoid unnecessary travel until weather conditions stabilize.
