Rain, snowfall in most parts of the country, cold intensifies

Most parts of the country continue to remain pitted by rains and snowfalls, which has pulled the mercury further down, while several link roads stand blocked.

This spell of winter rains has also overtaken different areas of southern Sindh including Karachi, where numerous areas of the city including Gulistan-e-Jauhar, Airport, Shah Faisal Colony, Gulberg, Buffer Zone and North Karachi receiving torrential rains. Larkana, Sukkur, Sanghar and their adjoining areas are also receiving rains, which has intensified cold.

NWFP several areas including Peshawar continue receiving rains and the hilly areas hit by snowfalls. Lowari Top in Chitral still remains blocked for traffic, Mansehra district receiving snowfalls, the highway leading to Naran from Kaghan and several other link roads went blocked by 4 feet of accumulated snowfalls hitting Kaghan valley. Prices of gas, flour and other items have shot up in the quake-affected Tehsil Balakot.

Quetta valley and other areas are also hit by the cold wave, while the city witnessed over 35 mm of rains, in all. Torrential rains with stormy winds are lashing Hub, Gadani, Sakran and different areas of the district Lasbela, while Chaman after several years is beset with heavy snowfalls. Besides Pak-Afghan border areas, Toba Achakzai, Toba Kakri, district Pishin, Ziarat, Kan Mehtarzai, Qila Abdullah and other areas are also under the spell of snowfall since yesterday. Pak-Afghan traffic has also ceased due to the blockaded Quetta-Chaman international highway by snowfalls at Kozak Top. Quetta road links with northern Balochistan areas Qila Saifullah, Loralai, Zhob, Harnai and other parts also severed due to snowfalls at Kan Mehtarzai and Ziarat.

The life in Azad Jammu and Kashmir’s earthquake affected Neelum valley, Muzaffarabad, Bagh and Rawalakot went paralyzed, while the road links between Neelum valley, Leepa valley and Karna cut off due to snowfalls. District Bagh- Sudhan Gali Road and Faroot- Kahota Road also closed down for all sorts of traffic. Firewood, coal and gas supply have fallen short due to high demands. The quake-affected living in camps and shelters are faced with difficulties due to the harsh weather, however, the Camp Management Organization was providing additional blankets and eatables to the affectees.