Islamabad: Cold wave has gripped most of Pakistan as light snowfall with freezing drizzle continued on Monday morning in the mountainous regions while southern cities also reported first winter rain.
Murree, the most popular tourist destination, received its “first snowfall of the season” on Sunday. The upper parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), including Hazara and Malakand divisions, received the second spell of snowfall in mountainous areas.
Pakistan Met Office said that a “strong westerly weather system” was affecting different parts of the country and the cold wave was likely to persist till Tuesday (December 28). The areas feeling the impact of the cold wave include northeast Punjab, upper KP, Potohar region, lower Balochistan, Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir.
Tourists flock to Murree
National Highways and Motorway Police (NHMP) advised the drivers headed to the northern regions to be cautious of snow flurries and be aware of slippery, icy conditions throughout the region. Road crew and snow plow drivers remained busy throughout the day clearing the roads near Murree, officials said. The snowfall disrupted everyday life in the remote mountainous regions where several roads were blocked due to landslides.
Meanwhile, the urban dwellers flocked to Murree, one-hour drive away from Islamabad, to enjoy the snowfall. Families said it was well worth the effort to get dressed up and go to the snowy Murree. “It was so beautiful to see the fresh snow blanketing all streets, trees and rooftops. Besides, it was my kids’ first time seeing the snow which made the trip more memorable,” said Azra Usman, a resident of Islamabad.
Local traffic police issued a traffic advisory for tourists travelling to Murree and other hilly tourist destinations stations. Rawalpindi chief traffic police officer Taimoor Khan urged tourists to avoid parking on the wrong side, double lines and stopping in the middle of the road for selfies, to ensure smooth traffic.
First winter rain in Karachi
The southern and coastal city of Karachi also experienced its first spell of winter showers on Monday. The weather was reported to be cloudy with sporadic rain and thunderstorm. The residents welcomed the chilly weather and showers even though it might be an inconvenience for some as it often leads to power outages.
