Cold wave buffets Pakistan

The continuous snowfall in the country's upper parts and persistent foggy conditions in plain areas turned the weather harsher disrupting the air and road travel, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Sunday.

Rains in the plains of Shangla while heavy snowfall continued at tourist spots of Yakhtangi and Shangla Top. Heavy snowfall also disrupted smooth traffic flow in the mountainous tourist spots.

Local police in a bid to help stranded tourists are seen pushing vehicles to clear the road while a large number of tourists enjoyed the snowfall.

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On the other hand, snowfall paralyzed life in Galyat as roads of more than 50 villages including Murree Road have now been closed. 

Water, electricity, and burning fuel crisis has worsened while few areas in the Galyat also witnessed food shortage as locals are facing severe problems in their homes.

While the upper reaches of Mansehra, Torghar, Upper and Lower Kohistan and Kolai-Palas districts received snowfall, rain continued to lash the plains throughout Saturday starting on Friday evening.

The KKH was blocked in Sharkool and Chaterplan areas for over two hours after snowfall made the strategically important artery slippery.

The Kaghan, Siren and Konsh valleys in Mansehra district and Kandia and Spat valleys in Upper Kohistan received snowfall blocking many link roads.

The Pakistan Meteorological Office said, “Cold and dry weather is expected in most parts of the KP province, while very cold in northern areas and north Balochistan. Fog is likely to prevail in plain areas of Punjab and upper Sindh during morning and night hours on Sunday.”

The Met Office predicted that cold and dry weather is expected in most parts of the country, on Monday, while very cold in northern areas and north Balochistan. 

Snowfall (Inches) in the past 24 hours (Saturday): Malam Jabba 04, Kalam 03 and Murree 01.

Several areas of Punjab including Lahore are shrouded in thick fog. According to the spokesman of the Motorway Police and National Highways, “Motorway M3 from Lahore to Rajana is closed as fog enveloped Chohang, Maraka, Manga Mandi, Phoolnagar and Jambar.

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Cities including Pattoki, Okara, Lodhran, Bahawalpur, Musafer Khana and Ahmedpur Sharqia are also affected by the fog.”

MP and NH Spokesperson said, “Pindi Bhattian, Sangla Hill, Faisalabad and Pansera are also engulfed with foggy on Motorway M4 and visibility is limited to 30 to 100 meters in foggy areas of Motorway M4.”

The Motorways spokesperson said, “Avoid speeding and keep proper distance from the next vehicle. Motorway road users may contact Helpline 130 for information and assistance and Information can also be obtained from the Motorway Police's Humsafar app.”

Flights

Dense fog around Allama Iqbal International Airport runway reduced visibility to 350 meters. The TV channel reported six flights have been cancelled, two flights diverted while nine flight schedules have been rescheduled amid the dense foggy conditions.

Cancelled Flights: Dubai-bound PA-410 and PA-411, From Najaf to Lahore IF-241, from Lahore to Najaf IF-342, Khr-Lhr PA-306 and from Lahore to Jarachi PA-307.

Flights delayed from Lahore Airport: to Riyadh XY-318, to Abu Dhabi EY-243, to IstanbulTK-715, to Abu Dhabi Etihad Airline EY-244 and PA-414.

Train schedule was also badly affected due to fog at Rahim Yar Khan Railway Station as Awami Express from Peshawar to Karachi could not reach the railway station even after five hours and The Khyber Mail Express from Karachi to Peshawar could not reach the railway station even after three hours.