PESHAWAR, Jan 6 Weather conditions worsened in the NWFP and tribal regions after snow and rain continued to fall on Sunday, further lowering temperatures, deteriorating driving conditions and compounding people's problems already plagued by lengthy power shutdowns and gas shortages.

Two children, Israr and Wajid, died in Mansehra of pneumonia. They belonged to Kund Sulbori and were being treated in the district headquarters hospital.

Hospital sources said that 24 children had so far died of cold over the past few weeks.

Rain and snowfalls were also reported from Kaghan, Naran, Allai, Battagram, Balakot and Jabori areas, blocking most roads with one to two feet of snow.

ABBOTTABAD Bara Gali, Changla Gali and Nathia Gali received about two feet of snow in two days. Rain also continued in the area, making it difficult for driving in the Galyat. The road from the Bara Gali to the Nathia Gali was closed.

Rains also lashed Abbottabad and surrounding areas.

CHITRAL Lowari Pass, linking Chitral with the rest of the country, has been closed for traffic after heavy snowfall over the past two days.

Shandur Pass, another route that connects Chitral district with the Northern Areas, has already been closed.

Most of the district received between nine inches to two feet of snow. There have been no flights between Chitral and Peshawar for the past six days.

SWAT Hill resorts in Swat, including Kalam, Malam Jabba and Madyan, received heavy snowfalls while rain lashed Mingora city on Sunday. About two feet snow was reported from most areas in Swat. Rains were also reported from southern districts of the NWFP, including Kohat, Karak, Bannu, Lakki Marwat, Tank and Dera Ismail Khan.

Snow and rain also fell in Parachinar city and other areas of the Kurram Agency on Sunday.Kaniguram and other areas in South Waziristan Agency salso received the season's first snowfall.

Intense cold also gripped Razmak, Kaniguram, Laddah and Makin and the area was covered with at least three to four feet snow.

The only link road between the North and South Waziristan regions - the Razmak-Wana Road - had been closed.

In Bajaur, Ghakhi Pass and Nawa Pass, linking Pakistan and Afghanistan, were closed because of heavy snowfall. Intermittent rains also continued to lash the area.

Sources said that people needed to go to Kunar in Afghanistan if they wanted to travel to Chitral from Peshawar and other areas because of closure of roads.