The picturesque mountain valley of Skardu has come under the grip of biting cold, with temperatures dropping to minus 11 degrees Celsius in populated areas and plunging as low as minus 14 degrees in the surrounding highlands, sources said on Saturday.

Despite sunny days, the chill shows no sign of easing, leaving the famous tourist valley in the midst of an intense cold wave.

Severe cold has driven many residents indoors, and thick early morning fog is now slowing traffic on major routes.

Tourist activity in the area has dropped noticeably as the cold wave grows stronger.

With temperatures continuing to fall, the need for firewood and LPG has risen sharply, and frequent power outages are making daily life even more difficult for locals.

The Met Office has warned that the cold is likely to deepen in the coming days, with the weather expected to stay dry and sharply chilly.

Meanwhile, snowfall at Babusar Top — one of the most visited points in the Naran valley — has led to the complete closure of the road from Battakundi to the summit.

Authorities have allowed visitors to travel only up to Lake Saif-ul-Malook and Battakundi between 11am and 2pm, a time slot designated to reduce the risk of accidents caused by slippery conditions.

Separately, the weather department has forecast more snowfall in Kaghan, Naran, and Babusar Top during the first week of December, which may continue for up to four days.