Web Desk (MNN); Daily life was disrupted across several parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Murree on Thursday as heavy snowfall blanketed mountainous regions, causing travel difficulties and road blockages.
Authorities imposed restrictions on the entry of vehicles into Murree due to worsening weather conditions, while large-scale rescue and relief operations were launched in Tirah valley where snowfall stranded hundreds of people.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department warned that more rain and snowfall were expected from Sunday night till Tuesday under the influence of a westerly weather system.
Rescue operations in Tirah
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Rescue 1122 spokesperson Bilal Ahmed Faizi said on Friday that an extensive rescue operation was under way in Tirah valley and surrounding areas, including Painda Cheena, Dawatoi and Bagh Maidan, on the directives of the Rescue 1122 director general.
He said over 100 rescue personnel, supported by 23 operational vehicles, were participating in relief activities. By 5:30pm on Friday, rescue teams had recovered around 50 stranded vehicles and assisted nearly 100 affected individuals.
Rescue 1122 said those rescued were shifted to safer locations, while operations continued in snow-hit areas.
Residents of Tirah have been vacating their homes due to a planned military operation against militants in the area. Hundreds of displaced families were left stranded on roads after the registration process was suspended on Thursday evening because of heavy snowfall.
According to a statement issued by the Khyber deputy commissioner’s office, stranded families were relocated to Painda Cheena school and hostel on the instructions of KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi. Relief goods, blankets and warm clothing for children were also distributed during the night.
The statement said timely coordination between the provincial government, Pakistan Army, Frontier Corps, district administration and Rescue 1122 ensured the safety of all displaced families.
Evacuation efforts continued from Nangrosa to Dawatoi and from Dawatoi to Bagh Maidan, with women and children evacuated first under the supervision of rescue teams.
Chief Minister Afridi said people in Tirah were stranded due to forced evacuation amid snowfall, adding that provincial resources were being fully utilised. He said some areas remained inaccessible due to blocked roads and lack of mobile signals, but rescue operations were being personally monitored.
Heavy snowfall in Shangla
Heavy snowfall was also reported in Shangla district, blocking major roads including sections of the Karakoram Highway and disrupting electricity supply in most areas.
The Provincial Disaster Management Authority said snowfall continued across northern districts of KP from Thursday night until Friday morning, causing temporary road closures. Efforts were under way to reopen affected routes.
Local residents said the snowfall, though disruptive, was expected to help ease water shortages and benefit agriculture after a prolonged dry spell.
Murree snowfall and restrictions
Snowfall began in Murree on Thursday evening, with some areas receiving up to two feet of snow by Friday afternoon, according to the Met Office.
Murree Deputy Commissioner Agha Zaheer Shirazi said entry of vehicles into the city had been restricted as a precautionary measure. However, roads remained open and tourists already present were moving freely within the city.
District Emergency Officer Kamran Rashid said several vehicles became stuck on the Murree Expressway but were safely rescued.
Avalanche in Lower Chitral
Meanwhile, nine people were killed and a child injured after an avalanche struck a house in Lower Chitral district, Rescue 1122 said.
According to officials, the victims included four women and five men. Rescue teams, with the support of the Pakistan Army and local residents, recovered all bodies despite difficult conditions caused by heavy snowfall. The injured child was shifted to a nearby hospital.
Weather outlook
The Pakistan Meteorological Department forecast more rain and snowfall from Sunday night through Tuesday as a westerly wave approaches western and upper parts of the country.
Rain, thunderstorms and snowfall are expected across parts of Balochistan, upper Sindh, Gilgit-Baltistan, Kashmir, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab and Islamabad, with some areas likely to receive heavy snowfall.
