Severe Cold Grips Skardu as Temperatures Plunge to -15°C

SKARDU: Heavy snowfall has plunged temperatures in Skardu, with the mercury dipping to an icy minus-15°C in upper areas and minus-10°C in the plains, ARY News reported.

Sporadic snowfall continues across the region, intensifying the winter chill. Skardu has recorded approximately four inches of snowfall, while higher-altitude areas have seen up to eight inches. The biting cold has severely impacted daily life, as residents grapple with freezing conditions.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (Met Office) has forecast a brief respite, predicting that snowfall will subside in the next 24 hours. However, temperatures are expected to drop further, exacerbating the cold.

Meanwhile, in Azad Kashmir’s Rawalakot and surrounding areas, the first winter rainfall has added to the chill. The Met Office reported that the minimum temperature in the region has fallen to minus 3°C, leaving residents bracing for harsher weather in the coming days.

The extreme weather conditions in Skardu and Rawalakot highlight the challenges faced by communities in northern Pakistan during the peak winter season. Authorities and residents are preparing for continued cold and possible disruptions in routine activities due to the severe weather.