MANSEHRA: The hilly areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Monday received the first pre-winter snowfall of the year that turned the weather cold and caused blockade of roads in different localities.

In Mansehra, Kaghan Valley received snowfall that caused blockade of Mansehra-Naran-Jalkhad road to all sorts of traffic at Babusar Top. The snowfall, which started at about 3pm, continued intermittently for the rest of day and turned the weather cold.

MNJ road, which links Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with Gilgit-Baltistan, was blocked to all sorts of traffic and police restricted the entry of motorists and passenger coaches beyond Battakundi area. The heavy snowfall also blanketed the surroundings of the Loluputsar Lake and Babusar Top.

The upper parts of Hazara division also received light rain.

In Shangla, hilly areas received snowfall while intermittent rain lashed the district that turned the weather cold.

Hilly areas including Spenghar, Gamtal and Lilownai received snowfall while rain lashed Bisham, Alpuri, Puran, Chakiser, Shahpur, Dandai, Martung and other areas of the district.

The supply of electricity in Bisham city and surroundings was also disrupted due to rain.

In Mohmand, heavy downpour coupled with hailstorm destroyed standing crops and vegetables in different areas on Monday afternoon.

The heavy rain accompanied with hailstorm lashed numerous farms in the district.

The hailstorm destroyed standing crops in various areas including Kamali Haleemzai, Gandawo Halimzai and Pandiali.

Farmers said that hailstorm destroyed their crops and vegetables including cauliflowers, spinach and coriander, resulting in huge losses to them. The hailstorm also damaged solar panels installed on rooftops in various localities and bazaars of the district.

They said that Kamali Haleemzai, Tamanzai and other areas were badly affected the hailstorm.

They demanded of the government to compensate them for the losses.

Published in Dawn, October 10th, 2023