CHITRAL: Intense cold has gripped the Chitral region for the last five days due to intermittent downpour and snowfall.

Mountains have received more than one foot of snow, while8-10 inches of snow fell in low-altitude valleys both in upper and lower parts of Chitral.

Snowfall has also been reported in the Lowari Tunnel’s approach road. However, traffic remained unaffected.

The Lower Chitral district administration has directed the National Highway Authority to keep heavy machinery on standby to ensure the approach road remains open.

Residents said Yarkhun, Laspur, Terich and Owir roads in Upper Chitral were open to traffic, while Shandur Road, connecting Chitral and Gilgit-Baltistan, had been closed due to heavy snowfall.

They said the intense cold had kept people confined to their homes, with markets, government and private offices and even mosques wearing a deserted look. A few tourists were seen.

Published in Dawn, January 22nd, 2026