A severe cold wave continues to grip Pakistan, particularly affecting the northern regions, where ongoing rain and heavy snowfall have exacerbated the chill. The Karakoram Highway in the Hunza Valley has been closed due to adverse weather conditions, making travel difficult and dangerous in the area.
Read More: PMD Warns of Continued Heavy Rains Across Pakistan This Week
In several cities, including Quetta, Skardu, Malam Jabba, Chitral, and Dir, temperatures have dropped to as low as -4°C, with residents battling intense cold. Meanwhile, intermittent snowfall is reported in the upper regions of Azad Kashmir, where over two feet of snow have accumulated, further worsening the freezing conditions. The snowfall has disrupted daily life, causing travel delays and making outdoor activities hazardous.
Snowfall is also significantly impacting daily life in the upper areas of Gilgit-Baltistan, particularly in the Astor district, where snow accumulation has been considerable. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, areas such as Babusar Top, Nanga Parbat, and Batogah have experienced substantial snowfall, causing similar disruptions in these regions.
Cities across Punjab, including Lahore, are grappling with extreme cold temperatures that have significantly lowered daily comfort levels. In Balochistan, the severe cold has led to water pipes freezing in areas such as Quetta, Qalat, Chaman, Qilla Abdullah, Pishin, and Ziarat, further complicating the daily lives of residents.
Karachi is also feeling the effects of the cold wave, with chilly winds causing temperatures to drop to 11°C, unusual for the city’s typical climate.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department has forecast that the cold and dry conditions will persist throughout most parts of the country until December 15, with additional rain and snowfall expected in Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan.
In a related health concern, Lahore has been identified as having the worst air quality in Pakistan, with an Air Quality Index of 253 recorded early this morning. The poor air quality, coupled with the extreme cold, has raised significant health concerns for residents.
