ISLAMABAD: Another rain spell in central and upper Punjab and snowfall in Murree and its surrounding areas on Saturday added to the chill across the region.

The rainfall also helped subside the foggy conditions in plain areas of Punjab and upper Sindh including the national highways.

The rain, accompanied by thunder, started early on Saturday morning in Islamabad and continued throughout the day with intervals.

However, the amount of rainfall was comparatively less as Islamabad and Murree received only 10mm rain in more than 20 hours. The highest temperature in Islamabad was 15°C and dropped to around 9°C by late evening.

The Met Office has predicted another spell of rain and snow next weekend.

Meanwhile, tourists thronged Murree to witness snowfall.

According to the city traffic police spokesman, more than 40,000 cars entered the hill station which led to traffic jams in many areas.

Slippery roads and lack of parking spots added to the motorists’ woes.

People could not find parking along roadsides as the officials who were clearing the roads dumped snow on the roadsides.

Traffic police had to deploy extra wardens at various points to guide the tourists and advise them not to park cars on the roadside to take selfies and pictures as it caused traffic jams on the main road.

The hill station has 1,200 hotels but most of them did not have space for car parking.

The government has failed to develop parking areas for thousands of vehicles entering Murree daily during summer and snow season.

Published in Dawn, January 13th, 2019