More rain, snowfall expected in country from Sunday to Tuesday: PMD

More rain and snowfall are expected to hit the country from Sunday night to Tuesday, as a westerly wave is likely to approach country’s western parts on January 25, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) said, adding that the new weather system is likely to grip upper parts of the country on January 26.

Under the influence of this weather system, the Met Office said, rain-wind and thunderstorm with snowfall is expected in Balochistan’s Quetta, Ziarat, Chaman, Pishin, Qilla Abdullah, Qilla Saifullah, Kalat, Turbat, Gawadar, Chaghi, Panjgur, Khuzdar and Kharan on Sunday night and Monday.

It said rain is expected to lash upper Sindh, including Sukkar, Larkana, Jacobabad and Dadu on Monday.

Rain-wind/thunderstorm with snowfall (few heavy snowfall) is also expected in Gilgit-Baltistan’s Diamir, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza and Gilgit, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir’s Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Rawalakot and Haveli.

Chitral, Dir, Swat, Kalam, Shangla, Kohistan, Battagram, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Buner, Peshawar, Nowshera, Swabi, Malakand, Mardan, Kohat, Kurram, Khyber, Hangu, Bajur, Bannu, Dera Ismail Khan and Waziristan of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Murree, Galliyat, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Chakwal, Attock, Mandi Bahauddin, Sialkot, Narowal, Lahore, Sheikhupura, Gujrat, Mianwali, Gujranwala, Multan and Dera Ghazi Khan of Punjab are also likely to receive rainfall on Monday and Tuesday with occasional gaps.

READ MORE: Winter rain accompanied by gusty winds hits parts of Karachi

The PMD said heavy snowfall may cause road closure/ slippery conditions in Naran, Kaghan, Dir, Swat, Kalam, Chitral, Kohistan, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Shangla, Astore, Hunza, Skardu, Murree, Galliyat, Neelum valley, Bagh, Poonch, Haveli, Quetta, Ziarat, Chaman, Pishin, Qilla Abdullah, Qilla Saifullah, Noushki, Harnai and Zhob from Monday to Tuesday.

The Met Office said there is a possibility of the landslides/avalanche in hilly areas of upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir during this period.

“Tourists are advised to remain extra cautious and avoid unnecessary travelling during the forecast period,” it said, adding that day time temperatures are likely to drop during the period.

Whereas, all concerned authorities are advised to remain vigilant and take necessary measures to avoid any untoward situation during the forecast period.

Nearly 100 vehicles stranded in Tirah valley

In various areas of Tirah Valley, nearly 100 vehicles have been stranded on the roads due to rain, snowfall, and landslides.

Following which, a special emergency ward has been established at the Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar, Aaj News reported.

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Health Department has issued a notification directing the administration to remain on high alert, ensuring the 24-hour availability of doctors and paramedical staff.

To provide immediate and effective medical facilities to the injured, instructions have been given to keep the emergency, surgery, orthopedics, and blood bank fully functional, while also ensuring an ample supply of medicines, medical gear, and surgical instruments.

The Pakistan Army and local administration continued relief activities for citizens temporarily evacuating Tirah.

According to the PDMA, vehicles have become stranded due to the closure of the Tirah road caused by heavy snowfall, and the district administration is conducting rescue operations. Affected individuals are being provided with food and moved to safe locations. Ten trucks containing blankets, sweaters, bedding, and other essential items have also been dispatched.

Traffic is affected by slippery roads and snow accumulation, and a rescue operation to extract the stranded people and vehicles is underway.

Meanwhile, Rescue 1122 teams on Friday continued relief operations in Tirah Valley.

Late-night rescue operations were carried out to assist affected individuals, according to a Rescue 1122 spokesperson.

The spokesperson said that at the Sandana area, Rescue 1122 successfully rescued 55 affected people who were travelling in around 20 vehicles and were stranded due to severe weather conditions, APP reported.

Rescue teams from Khyber, Peshawar, Swabi, and Nowshera were actively participating in the operation, he said, adding that rescue and relief teams were evacuating people and vehicles stuck in snow at various locations.

“Despite slippery roads and heavy snowfall causing significant challenges, rescue personnel continued their relief activities to ensure the safety of stranded travelers,” the official said.

Rescue operations will continue until all affected individuals are safely evacuated, the spokesperson added.