Heavy rain, snowfall end drought in Hazara

Heavy rain and snowfall have brought much-needed relief to the Hazara division by ending a prolonged drought.

However, the intense weather has also caused significant disruptions across the region.

Heavy rain and snowfall started last night which blocked roads and flash floods triggered landslides in several areas, leading to transportation difficulties and posing risks to local communities. Authorities are actively working to clear the roads and ensure the safety of residents.

People are urged to exercise caution while travelling and stay updated on weather forecasts and road conditions.

Since last night, continuous snowfall in Galiyat has blocked multiple roads, causing inconvenience to both locals and tourists.

However, the roads have now been cleared by the joint efforts of Galiyat Development Authority (GDA) staff, Abbottabad Traffic Police, and other relevant departments.

Despite the clearance, light snowfall continues in the region. Abbottabad Traffic Police, along with other departmental teams, are stationed at various points to assist travellers and ensure safety.

Tourists and locals planning to visit Galiyat were advised to take safety precautions and consider the weather conditions while travelling.

In light of ongoing snowfall in the hilly areas of Abbottabad and light rain in urban areas, District Emergency Officer Muhammad Arif Khattak has issued safety guidelines to ensure safe travel.

He urged travellers to ensure their vehicles are mechanically fit, including tyres, engine, and lights, before travelling in hilly areas.

He also advised people to travel according to the weather conditions and avoid unnecessary travel during severe weather. Caution was advised in landslide-prone areas, and motorists were warned not to park their vehicles in such zones. Travellers were also asked to maintain safe speeds during rain or snowfall and strictly follow speed limits.