PESHAWAR: The high-altitude areas of Hazara and Malakand divisions on Friday received sporadic snowfall, while heavy rains were recorded in plain areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Fata.

In a rain-related incident, a child received minor injuries when a house’s portion caved in Peshawar’s Yakatoot area. The Rescue 1122 personnel shifted the child to the hospital.

The Met Office said the provincial capital received 23mm rain during the last 12 hours.

Many injured in Peshawar roof collapse, Dir road accident

The rainwater flooded roads and streets in various areas of the city inconveniencing motorists, motorcyclists and pedestrians.

Reports said Galiyat in Abbottabad, Lowari Top and other hilly areas received modest snowfall turning the weather cold.

The rain also lashed Peshawar valley and other districts of the province.

The Thandiani hill station in Abbottabad received six to nine inches snow, while moderate snowfall was reported in Ayubia, Dongagali, Nathiagali and Changlagali.

The officials said the Galiyat Development Authority deputed machinery to remove snow from the roads.

The Met Office said 65mm rain was recorded in Kakul area of Abbottabad, 32mm in Risalpur, 29mm in Saidu Sharif, 35mm in Balakot, 41mm in Cherat, 29mm in Malam Jabba, 42mm in Pattan and 24mm rain in Kalam.

Snowfall on hilltops brought the mercury down in Upper Dir.

Lowari Top, Kumrat, Thal, Kalkot, Doog Dara, Sheringal, Ganshal and other areas, too, received a modest snowfall.

Snowfall was also recorded in the plains area of Thal and its surroundings bringing the temperature down to the freezing point.

The snowfall continued all through the day intermittently.

According to the Met Office, Upper Dir city received rains up to 80mm in the last four days.

It said the minimum temperature recorded in Dir was seven degree Celsius.

Snowfall and rainfall were reported in Swat valley’s hilly areas and plain areas respectively.

Ushu, Matiltan, Utror, Gabral and Kalam areas received around six inches snow turning the weather chilly.

The local elders said they hadn’t seen snow fall in April during the last 20 years.

A hailstorm hit various farming areas of Swabi along the Indus destroying melon and watermelon crops and damaging vegetable crops.

The farmers feared that the inclement weather would adversely affect wheat crop to their misery.

In a rain-related incident, four people suffered injuries in Upper Dir’s Khwago Obo area when two vehicles collided head-on.

Among the injured were drivers, a woman and a child, who were shifted to the District Headquarters Hospital.

Battagram and adjoining areas also received rain and snowfall, which brought temperature down in the district.

The rain with cold winds also swept Battagram, Ajmera, Chappargram, Peshora, Shamlai, Batamori, Kuzabanda and Miarani, while areas of Allai, Asharban, Sakargah received a snowfall.

Shangla, too, received rain, while snowfall was recorded in its mountainous areas.

The inclement weather led to the closure of several links roads of the Karakoram Highway in the district troubling passengers.

Also, a thunderstorm damaged two houses and shops in Puran and Damorai areas. However no damage to public life was reported.

Published in Dawn, April 21st, 2018