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Heavy rain and snowfall disrupt life across the country, stranding tourists

Landslide in Jamrud kills one as stormy weather lingers
Published 28 Feb, 2025 04:20pm
Heavy rain and snowfall persist across the country, disrupting daily life. File photo
Heavy rain and snowfall persist across the country, disrupting daily life. File photo

Heavy rain and snowfall continue to batter various parts of the country, disrupting daily life and stranding tourists. In Jamrud, a landslide claimed the life of one person, while relentless downpours have flooded low-lying areas.

Several districts in Punjab, including Nankana Sahib, Khanewal, Vehari, and Hujra Shah Muqeem, experienced heavy rain overnight, turning streets into waterways.

Power outages were reported as multiple feeders tripped in different regions. Meanwhile, snowfall in Neelum Valley, Astore, and Kalam has intensified the cold wave.

Tourists stranded due to severe weather

Tourists remain trapped in parts of Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Astore due to heavy snowfall and rainfall.

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Several areas in Punjab, including Gujrat, Sargodha, Jhang, Dera Ghazi Khan, Kot Addu, and Chichawatni, received heavy rain, worsening the situation.

At least nine people have lost their lives in rain-related incidents across the country.

Heavy downpours in Shakargarh, Hafizabad, Kamalia, and Vehari have further dropped temperatures, while overnight showers in Obaro and Ghotki added to the cold spell.

Roads blocked, communication disrupted

In Galiyat, Neelum Valley, and Leepa Valley, heavy snowfall has severely impacted traffic, leaving tourists stranded.

The communication network has also suffered widespread disruptions.

In Astore, three consecutive days of snowfall have cut off upper areas, while power and water supplies remain suspended. Snow accumulation of three to four feet has paralyzed life, and an avalanche at Khachik has blocked the Astore Valley Road.

Despite the harsh conditions, rescue teams have successfully evacuated around 200 tourists from Leepa Valley and Kail Seri in Azad Kashmir. However, avalanches have blocked the main Sharda-Taobat highway at multiple points.

More rain and snowfall expected

The Meteorological Department has forecast more rain and snowfall today in upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, Punjab, Pothohar, Islamabad, Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan.

There is also a risk of landslides, while slippery roads are likely to disrupt traffic further.

In Neelum Valley, the rescue operation to retrieve three individuals trapped under an avalanche has been halted. Meanwhile, landslides in Azad Kashmir have severed ground links to Neelum and Leepa Valleys.

KP braces for more rain

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is expected to receive more rain over the next 24 hours, particularly in Peshawar, Nowshera, Mardan, Charsadda, Swabi, Dir, Chitral, Shangla, Buner, Malakand, Abbottabad, Haripur, Mansehra, Battagram, Kohistan, and other districts.

Recent heavy rainfall recorded includes 32mm in Kakol and Patan, 28mm in Balakot, and 19mm in Dir and Malam Jabba. Snowfall reached two inches in Chitral and one inch in Kalam.

Peshawar’s minimum temperature was recorded at 10°C, with a high expected to reach 19°C.

The coldest temperatures were noted in Parachinar (-3°C) and Kalam, Drosh, Malam Jabba, and Chitral (0°C).

Casualties and damage in KP

The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) reported two deaths and seven injuries in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa over the past 48 hours due to collapsing roofs and other rain-related incidents.

Among the injured are four children and three women.

Ten houses sustained damage, with three destroyed and seven partially affected.

The incidents were reported in Haripur, Battagram, Bajaur, Lower and Upper Kohistan, Dir, Hangu, Khyber, and Torghar.

PDMA has directed immediate relief efforts for affected families and instructed authorities to reopen blocked roads.

The emergency operation center remains fully active, urging citizens to report any emergencies via helpline 1700.

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