Light showers over K-P, FATA

Shangla’s locals say area receives over 4 inches of snow

PESHAWAR/ SHANGLA: Light showers continued all day on Tuesday in the provincial and other parts of the province, exposing the surroundings to some very chilly air. However, hilltops of northern K-P, including Malakand Division, saw snow.

The Pakistan Metrological Department (PMD) predicted periodic rain across the province and areas of Fata over the next 24 hours. According to PMD officials, Peshawar received 3mm of rainfall, Parachinar 5mm, Dir 3mm and Saidu Sharif 2mm while Kalam received half an inch of snowfall. Shangla received four inches of snow according to locals. PMD Peshawar region chief Mushtaq Shah said the weather system would stay in the Malakand and Hazara divisions over the next 24 hours, while the rain would stop in the plains on Tuesday night.

“We expect temperatures to drop,” said Shah. He added the temperature in Kalam and Parachinar would go into the negative. Shah said since it is an “El Nino year,” they expect periodic rains until March and the temperature in April to be around 22C.  Meanwhile, a large portion of Shangla received considerable snowfall and rain, making life difficult for locals. An official of the district administration said main Swat-Besham Road was, however, opened for traffic to facilitate tourists.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 13^th, 2016.