TIMERGARA (Muzaffarabad), Nov 12: Residents of the areas devastated by the October 8 earthquake began to experience a harsh winter on Sunday as snow fell somewhat early in parts of the NWFP and Azad Kashmir.

Receiving first snow of the season, the Lowari Pass that connects Chitral with the rest of the country was closed to vehicular traffic. Dozens of Chitral-bound vehicles were stranded in Upper Dir where up to one foot snow was recorded.

Due to the inclement weather, there have been no C-130 flights between Peshawar and Chitral for two days.

Azad Kashmir’s Neelum Valley – which was a scene of large-scale destruction in the wake of the October 8 earthquake – also received snowfall.

Snowfall in upper parts of Hazara region, including Abbotabad, added to the woes of quake survivors who have little to protect themselves from the harsh winter. Naran and Kaghan valleys of the NWFP also experienced snowfall.