ISLAMABAD, Jan 23: Most parts of the country are in the grip of severe cold due to widespread torrential rain in plains and snowfall in hilly areas. According to Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), the severity of cold in the capital on Sunday was a record for 40 years.

The lowest temperature was recorded in Sakardu where the mercury declined sharply. The Met Office report said Kotli received the heaviest downpour during the current spell, recording 82mm of rain.

It said the season's second spell of rain and snowfall had started in Balochistan on Sunday evening which would continue for 48 hours. It forecast more rain in Sindh, including Karachi, the NWFP, Punjab, Kashmir and Islamabad.

In northern areas, another spell of rain and snowfall is expected from Monday which may continue for four days, the report said. The Margalla Hills received 1 foot of snow after six years.

Gilgit and Muzaffarabad received light snowfall after 10 years. Murree and Galliyat received four feet of snow while Kashmir and Northern Areas recorded three feet of snow.

The minimum temperature in Islamabad was two degree centigrade against a normal 18 degree centigrade for these days of the year. The lowest temperature in Quetta and Gilgit was recorded at -2 degree centigrade, followed by Abbottabad and Murree where mercury dropped to -5 and -6 degrees centigrade, respectively.