MANSEHRA, Jan 5: The upper parts of Hazara are in the grip of severe cold due to continuous rain and snowfall in the division.

The rain lashed Mansehra, Battagram, Kohistan and Torghar districts of Hazara on early Wednesday morning and continued intermittently for the entire day on Thursday.

The Kaghan, Allai and Kandia valleys also received heavy snowfall, causing severe cold in the region. Many link roads were blocked in the mountainous areas causing inconvenience for people of the region.

In Abbottabad, Thandiynai, Nathiagali, Ayubia and other hilly areas received first snowfall of the current winter season. At least one feet snow was reported in Galyat and Thandiynai.

The main Abbottabad-Nathiagali road was blocked to traffic at different points due to snowfall. However, vehicles having chains on their tyers were moving while light traffic was completely off the road.

On the other hand, prolonged power loadshedding has increased miseries of the people in Galyat and also caused water shortage in the area.

In Shangla, snowfall with some intervals continued from Wednesday night, disrupting routine life. The power outages have further aggravated situation in the area.

In Bajaur Agency, snowfall coupled with rain paralysed life and turned the weather cold. Light snowfall and heavy rains were record in the tribal region. The cold weather restricted people to remain indoors.