Rains and snowfall continued in different parts of the country over the last 24 hours.
ISLAMABAD: Rains and snowfall continued in different parts of the country over the last 24 hours and most of the far flung areas remained cut off due to landslides.
The land link to Chitral Valley was suspended in the wake of heavy snowfall on the Lowari Top. Flights to Chitral have been suspended for many days due to bad weather, further compounding the miseries of passengers who want to travel to and from Chitral. The communication disruption has also created serious shortages of food and other commodities.
Moreover, rains and snowfall in Malam Jabba, Mingora, Shangla and other northern towns has caused shortages of basic necessities in these areas as well.
Peshawar, Lakki Marwat, Bannu, Dera Ismail Khan (DI KHan) and Swabi also received rain. Heavy snowfall also continued in Murree, though tourists were able to enjoy themselves there.
The weather throughout Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) remained cloudy. The remote areas of G-B, however, continue to remain cut-off from the cities after the landslides triggered by the recent snowfalls. Most of the roads around Skardu have been blocked for many days.
Communications with Kurram Agency were also disrupted due to heavy snowfall. Hangu and adjacent areas received some rain. Overnight rain in Karak District resulted in a drastic drop in temperature across the district.
The current spell of rain is expected to continue on Monday, with the met department forecasting rain in many parts of K-P including Peshawar, Charsadda, Nowshera, Swabi and DI Khan.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 21st, 2011.
