MANSEHRA: Snow and rain continued to fall in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for the second consecutive day on Thursday causing temperature to plunge even below freezing in some mountainous areas.

Roads were blocked and power and gas supply were suspended in many areas to the inconvenience of the residents and travellers. However, no damage to public life or property was reported.

Most residents of the upper parts of Hazara and Malakand divisions stayed indoors due to blocked roads.

Heavy snowfall was also reported in Mansehra district’s Konsh and Kaghan valleys, Siren and Shogran tourist resort and Kohistan region’s Kandia and Spat valleys. It blocked the roads leading to mountainous parts and valleys.

People suffer as roads blocked, gas, power supply disrupted

Snow also fell in Mansehra, Balakot, Torghar, Upper and Lower Kohistan and Kolai- Palas districts causing the weather to turn chilly.

Battagram district and adjoining areas received the winter season’s fresh spell of rain and snowfall, which lowered temperatures.

Rain lashed Battagram, Ajmera, Chappargram, Peshora, Shamlai, Batamori and Kuzabanda, while Sokaisar, Khapero Soka, Bateela, Rashang and Chailsar areas received heavy snow.

Snow also fell in the remote Galey Maidan and Srei Oba areas.

The police said they were helping the motorists stranded in snow between Neelishang and Chattar areas.

The biting cold forced people in snow-bound hilly areas to remain indoors.

The rainfall continued in the plains of Lower and Upper Dir districts as well with snow covering hills.

The residents reported snowfall at Lowari Top, Kumrat, Doog Dara, Ganshal and Barawal Top in Upper Dir and Shahi, Laram Top, Kalpani, Sheenghar and Asman Banda in Lower Dir.

Snow up to two feet fell in Qulandai area near the Lowari Tunnel.

The district administration asked drivers to use chains around car tyres while passing through the tunnel.

A prolonged disruption of electric supply was reported in most parts of upper Lower and Upper Dir districts. Snowfall and landslides blocked several link roads leading to Doog Dara, Guldai village and Ganshal area.

The Upper Dir administration cleared roads for vehicular traffic but the residents complained that the roads were closed afterwards.

The snowfall continued at Laram Top and Shahi Top in Lower Dir attracting visitors in large numbers.

Deputy commissioner Zubair Khan directed assistant commissioner of Samarbagh Suhail Khan and KPHA engineer Aurangzeb to clear snow from the Shahi Top Road, which was closed for two days.

Growers welcomed the rainfall after a long dry spell and said the downpour would have a positive impact on wheat crops.

The Meteorological Department forecast more rain and snowfall in Dir for today (Friday).

Heavy snowfall was recorded in most parts of Shangla district for the second consecutive day on Thursday paralysing life.

The residents and travelers complained about power and gas cuts and blocked roads.

Snow blanketed most areas with Shangla Top, Yakhtangay and Spenghar receiving snow up to three feet. Heavy snowfall blocked roads, including Bisham-Swat Road closed from Alpuri to Chamtalai Swat and Puran Road from Alpuri to Dehrai.

Electric supply to district headquarters Alpuri, Puran tehsil and other areas was disrupted with the officials attributing it to “technical faults” in the main lines due to snowfall.

Published in Dawn, January 13th, 2023