Pakistan’s hilly areas receive first pre-winter snowfall

The hilly regions of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa experienced their first pre-winter snowfall of the year, significantly lowering temperatures.

In Mansehra, the Kaghan Valley was blanketed in snow, causing road blockages. The snowfall began around 3 pm and continued sporadically throughout the day, bringing a chill to the air.

Authorities took the precaution of closing the Mansehra-Naran-Jalkhad road to all traffic at Babusar Top. Similarly, the MNJ road connecting Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with Gilgit-Baltistan was impassable, with police restricting access for motorists and passenger coaches beyond the Battakundi area. The heavy snowfall also covered the surroundings of Loluputsar Lake and Babusar Top.

The upper parts of the Hazara division also received light rain, offering some relief from the dry weather. Hilly areas such as Spenghar, Gamtal, and Lilownai experienced snowfall, while rain-drenched areas including Bisham, Alpuri, Puran, Chakiser, Shahpur, Dandai, Martung, and other parts of the district.

The rain disrupted the supply of electricity in Bisham city and its vicinity.

In unfortunate news for farmers, hailstorms damaged standing crops in various areas, including Kamali Haleemzai, Gandawo Halimzai, and Pandiali, posing challenges for agricultural communities in the region.