Snow, fog disrupt transport nationwide

Heavy snowfall and dense fog continued to disrupt transportation across Pakistan, triggering road closures in northern regions and causing widespread delays in rail services as winter weather intensified at the start of the new year.

Authorities closed the Murree Expressway (N-75) for general traffic from Phulgran Toll Plaza toward Murree due to hazardous conditions caused by continuous snowfall. The route remains open for local residents and emergency vehicles. Officials said machinery and additional personnel from the National Highway Authority (NHA) have been deployed to clear snow and restore traffic as soon as conditions improve.

The closure comes amid a surge of tourists heading toward hill stations following the season's first major snowfall in Murree, Galiyat, Nathiagali and Thandiani. Abbottabad and surrounding areas also received snowfall and rain, further intensifying cold weather.

The Galiyat region witnessed snowfall on the first day of the new year, while power supply along the Abbottabad-Murree Road was suspended due to slippery conditions. Shogran recorded more than five inches of snow, while Kaghan district received over two inches, complicating travel in the region.

In Azad Kashmir, rain and snowfall persisted for the third consecutive day. Heavy snowfall was reported in the Neelum and Leepa valleys, while intermittent rain in Muzaffarabad led to the closure of several link roads due to unsafe conditions.

In its weather advisory issued on January 1, 2026, the PMD warned that snowfall could cause road closures and slippery conditions in Naran, Kaghan, Dir, Swat, Kohistan, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Shangla, Astore, Hunza, Skardu, Murree, Galliyat, Neelum Valley, Bagh, Poonch and Haveli.

The department also cautioned about the risk of landslides and avalanches in upper K-P, G-B and Kashmir.

The PMD also forecast that fog is likely to persist over the country's plains during morning and night hours. Dense fog in these areas severely disrupted railway operations, leaving thousands of passengers stranded at stations and facing prolonged delays.