SWAT: Heavy snowfall in hilly areas of Malakand division and Kurram tribal district turned the weather severely cold.

It started snowing in Malam Jabba, Gabin Jabba, Kalam, Matiltan, Utror, Gabral and Mankial areas of Swat on Saturday night and continued till Sunday as rain also continued for the second day in the plains, including Matta, Khwazakhela, Kabal, Mingora and Barikot.

The fresh snowfall forced the people to flock to flea markets to buy warm clothes.

According to residents of hilly areas, snowfall forced them to stay indoors. However, the snowfall attracted a large number of tourists to the snowbound areas of Swat.

“We really enjoyed snowfall in Kalam and other parts. It was our dream to see snow falling,” said Farrukh Amir, a resident of Lahore, adding the construction of the Swat Motorway had made their journey to tourist attractions shorter.

In Shangla, the upper parts received snowfall and rain lashed the plains, turning the weather chilly.

The rain and snowfall started on Saturday night and continued on Sunday, causing suspension of power supply to Bisham city and surrounding areas.

Speen Ghar, Gamtal, Kandaw, Ajmeer, Shangla top and Yakhtangay received snowfall, while Bisham, Alpuri, Puran, Chakesar, Kana, Martung and Makhozi received rain.

In Kurram, the winter’s first snowfall turned weather extremely cold in Parachinar and the adjoining areas on Sunday.

The Koh-i-Sufiad (White Mountain) on the outskirts of the district headquarters Parachinar wore a white blanket when the snow started on Saturday night and continued on Sunday. A large number of youths visited the scenic spot to enjoy snowfall.

Published in Dawn, December 6th, 2021