Severe snowfall has brought life to a halt across northern Pakistan, affecting daily activities and travel. Extremely cold weather has added to the difficulties faced by residents and tourists in several regions.
Heavy snowfall continues in parts of Azad Kashmir, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Gilgit-Baltistan. Major roads are blocked, power supply is disrupted, and many people remain stranded. Authorities and rescue teams are working under tough conditions to provide relief.
In Azad Kashmir, districts including Neelum Valley, Upper Neelum, Ath Muqam, Sidhnoti, Bagh, and Hattian Bala are among the worst affected. Continuous snowfall has made roads impassable and damaged electricity lines. Several areas have been without power for more than 24 hours.
In Haveli district, around 25 vehicles were trapped in deep snow. Nearly 100 passengers were stranded, including an ambulance. The Pakistan Army rescued 32 people from the area. Two bodies were later recovered from the ambulance. The rescue effort was widely praised for its quick response.
Muzaffarabad received snowfall for the first time in several years. In Neelum Valley, three houses collapsed due to the weight of heavy snow. Fortunately, no injuries were reported in these incidents.
The electricity network in Azad Kashmir has suffered major damage. Fallen poles and broken wires have caused long power outages. Officials said repair work will start once weather conditions improve. Communication services have also been affected in some locations.
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, intermittent snowfall has blocked roads in Kaghan Valley, Dirbala, Kumrat, and the Lowari Tunnel. Tourist entry has been banned to avoid accidents. In Malakand, snowfall after many years caused trees to fall, disrupting traffic. Rescue teams are active in Khyber and Shangla districts, where stranded people have been moved to temporary shelters.
Gilgit-Baltistan has also been hit hard by heavy snowfall. The Karakoram Highway is closed due to landslides in Chilas and Upper Kohistan. Hundreds of passenger and cargo vehicles remain stuck.
In Astore district, snow levels reached up to six feet in areas like Rama Meadows, Deosai, and Nanga Parbat. An avalanche blocked a key road, and heavy machinery has been deployed for clearance. Roads in Hunza and Nagar remain closed, while families living in tents in Chipursan Valley face severe cold.
In other related news also read Mastung experienced its first winter snowfall
Authorities, including the Pakistan Army, NDMA, and PDMA, are on high alert. Citizens have been advised to avoid unnecessary travel. Officials warned that snowfall and extreme cold may continue, raising the risk of more avalanches and road closures.
