Heavy rain, snowfall sweep across Pakistan

LAHORE: Rain and snowfall continued across Pakistan’s plains and mountainous regions on Thursday, bringing relief from the winter chill but also disrupting daily life. In Punjab’s provincial capital, Lahore, showers were recorded in areas including Abbott Road, Lakshmi, Gawalmandi, Johar Town, Jail Road, Shadman, and Green Town.

The city experienced overcast skies, strong winds, and scattered rainfall, with light drizzle reported in Townships, Bagrian, and surrounding neighborhoods.

The rain caused widespread electricity outages, as over 150 LESCO feeders tripped, affecting multiple localities. Residents faced disruptions while LESCO deployed all field staff on high alert to restore power.

Meanwhile, according to the Central Region spokesperson Syed Imran Ahmed, light rain was reported on major motorways including M-2 Lahore-Islamabad, M-4 Pindi Bhattian-Multan, M-5 Multan-Rahim Yar Khan, and M-11 Lahore-Sialkot. National highways in Manga Mandi, Pattoki, Okara, Mian Channu, Khanewal, Bahawalpur, Ahmadpur Sharqia, and Rahim Yar Khan also experienced intermittent rainfall. Drivers were advised to reduce speed, maintain safe distances, and use lights while driving on wet roads.

In Balochistan, rainfall and snowfall continued overnight, with Ziarat, Kan Mehtarzai, Muslim Bagh, Toba Kakri, and Toba Achakzai recording snowfall.

Quetta and surrounding areas saw temperatures drop below freezing, with -1°C recorded in Quetta and -3°C at Koorak Top and Khawaja Imran. The NHA and PDMA are clearing snow from northern highways.

In Azad Jammu & Kashmir, most areas experienced overcast conditions, with light snowfall in high-altitude regions and increasing cold in lower areas.

Karachi saw rain and strong winds in several neighborhoods, including Sargodha Town, Saddar, Garden, Gul Plaza, Mauripur, New Nazimabad, Ahsanabad, Gadani, Hub Chowki, Gulshan-e-Maymar, Nagan Chowrangi, and Gulistan-e-Johar, bringing cooler temperatures and a pleasant atmosphere.

In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, rain and snowfall were reported across the province, including Peshawar, Upper and Lower South Waziristan, and Northern Waziristan. PDMA warned that the current spell could intensify, advising residents to take safety precautions.

Forecasts indicate intermittent rain and snow in upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa plains until January 23, including areas such as Chitral, Upper and Lower Dir, Bajaur, Malakand, Swat, Buner, Shangla, Upper and Lower Kohistan, Kohlay Palas, Battagram, Torghar, Mansehra, and Abbottabad.

Authorities have urged citizens to exercise caution during travel, especially on mountainous routes prone to heavy snow and slippery conditions.