A significant cold snap has swept across Pakistan following widespread rainfall and snowfall in various regions. The northern areas of the country, including Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, have experienced heavy downpours accompanied by strong winds.
Mountainous areas are blanketed in snow, with the snowfall in Naran resulting in road closures and a halt to further tourist access. Further rain and snowfall are predicted for northern Balochistan, upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, Kashmir, and Pothohar region, accompanied by thunderstorms.
The rainfall has ushered in winter across the country, enhancing the scenic beauty of the snow-covered valleys in the northern regions. Areas in Balochistan, including Ziarat, Pishin, Zhob, Sherani, Musa Khel, Barkhan, and Khuzdar, have reported rainfall. The cold winds blowing from Balochistan have also impacted the weather in Sindh, with rainfall reported in Jacobabad and Qambar Shahdadkot.
The heavy snowfall in Naran has effectively ended the tourist season, prompting the district administration to restrict further tourist movement beyond Naran.
Temperatures in the northern areas have plummeted below freezing point, with Skardu reporting a temperature of -6 degrees Celsius.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) forecasts thunderstorms, rain, and further snowfall in the mountains for northern Balochistan, upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, Kashmir, and the Pothohar region. The PMD also predicts morning smog and fog in some plains of Punjab and upper Sindh.
In Punjab, light rain has been reported in Chiniot, Sialkot, Ali Pur, and surrounding areas.
Multan has been ranked as the most polluted city in Pakistan today, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 287 this morning. Lahore follows in second place (AQI 217), and Karachi is third (AQI 208).
