Winter returns to K-P with rains, snowfall

Peshawar, Mardan, Swat among areas hit; Parachinar records heaviest downpour at 34mm

PESHAWAR:

Winter has made a dramatic comeback across much of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, with intermittent rainfall continuing in both plain and mountainous areas, accompanied by a sharp drop in temperatures.

In Malam Jabba, Swat, the mercury plunged to 0°C, bringing back chilly winter conditions. The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) forecasts that the spell of intermittent rain is likely to persist over the next 24 hours.

Rain, often accompanied by thunder, lightning, and gusty winds, has affected a wide swath of the province, including Peshawar, Mardan, Swabi, Nowshera, Charsadda, Khyber, Bannu, Kohat, Karak, Lakki Marwat, Dera Ismail Khan, Tank, and upper districts such as Chitral, Upper Dir, Lower Dir, Malakand, Buner, Swat, Shangla, Kohistan, Kolai-Palas, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Battagram, Torghar, Haripur, Bajaur, Mohmand, Hangu, Kurram, Orakzai, and both North and South Waziristan.

Snowfall has blanketed higher elevations in the northern mountainous regions.

The heaviest rainfall was recorded in Parachinar at 34 millimeters, followed by Kalam in Swat with 13mm, Khyber with 10mm, Dir with 8mm, and Chitral and Dera Ismail Khan each receiving 4mm. Lighter showers were measured in Peshawar, Nowshera, and Kohat, at 2mm each.

The ongoing weather system has brought welcome relief from drier spells but also raised concerns about potential disruptions in travel, especially in hilly and remote areas prone to landslides or road blockages due to snow.

Residents in affected districts are advised to stay updated with official forecasts and exercise caution during thunder and strong winds. Farmers and tourists in northern regions should remain vigilant amid the changing conditions.