Cold Wave Hits Northern Areas: Snowfall Enhances Scenic Beauty of Tourist Spots

A severe cold wave has gripped Pakistan’s northern regions, with snowfall adding charm to popular tourist destinations like Murree, Galiyat, Nathia Gali, and Ayubia. According to the Meteorological Department, most areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will remain cold and dry in the coming days.

Key Highlights:

1. Snowfall and Freezing Temperatures:
   • Tourists enjoyed heavy snowfall in Murree and surrounding areas.
   • In Azad Jammu and Kashmir, freezing temperatures caused Banjosa Lake in Poonch to freeze over.
   • In the upper Neelum Valley, temperatures dropped as low as -19°C.
   • Gilgit-Baltistan recorded its coldest winter in a decade, with an average temperature of -8°C.
2. Recorded Temperatures:
   • Leh: -9°C
   • Skardu: -8°C
   • Gupis: -7°C
   • Astore, Gilgit, and Quetta: -5°C
   • Chitral, Dir, and Hunza: -3°C
3. Rain Brings Relief to Punjab:
   • In Lahore, light rain has eased the dry cold and reduced smog levels.
   • The Meteorological Department has forecast more rain in various districts of Punjab.
4. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Weather Updates:
   • Light rain and snowfall are expected in the upper districts, intensifying the cold.
   • Dense fog is likely to persist in the plains, including Charsadda, Nowshera, Mardan, Swabi, Peshawar, and Dera Ismail Khan.
   • Peshawar’s minimum temperature was recorded at 1°C, while Upper Dir hit -8°C, Kalam -5°C, and Shangla -3°C.
5. Travel Advisory:
   • Fog has disrupted travel, causing closures on Peshawar’s M-1 Motorway during morning and evening hours.