PESHAWAR: Rains and snowfall lashed the mountainous areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including tribal districts, on Friday as a cold wave swept plain areas of the province.

However, no damage to public life or property was reported.

According to reports, parts of Malakand, Hazara and Kohat divisions received snow, while rain fell in some areas.

The mercury plunged to minus nine degree Celsius in Kalam hill station of Swat district, while minus three and minus two degree Celsius was reported in Malam Jabba, Dir and Parachinar, respectively. The weather remained cloudy in Peshawar all through the day. However, light rain fell at night.

The Met Office forecast more rainfall in the next 24 hours.

It also said snow would fall in Chitral district and other parts of Malakand and Hazara divisions.

Snow blanketed Malam Jabba, Shangla, Shogran and upper parts of Kurram tribal district.

The heavy snowfall brought life to a standstill in Shogran as the road leading to the scenic tourist destination was blocked to traffic.

“The Kawai Road, which leads to Shogran from Mansehra-Naran-Jalkhad Road, has been blocked since the start of snowfall at this mountainous resort last week,” Mohammad Jabran told reporters.

He said almost all hotels of the region had been closed due to road blockade and continuous snowfall and thus, suspending tourism activities.

“Though it is very dangerous, some adventurists are going to the resort area using chained four-wheelers to enjoy snowfall,” he said.

Things were no different in Kaghan, Siren and Konsh valleys in Mansehra, Kandia, and mountainous places of Upper Kohistan, Lower Kohistan, Kolai-Palas and Torghar districts due to rain and snowfall.

The upper parts of Hazara division also saw rainfall, which turned the weather chilly.

Snow fell on mountains of Malakand division and rain in plain areas. According to the Met Office, Swat Kalam, Utror, Gabral, Ushu, Mankial, Gabin Jabba received over two feet snowfall, Malam Jabba received 15 inches snowfall and Miandam 12 inches snowfall dropping the mercury to minus six.

The plain areas were gripped by severe cold after the rainfall.

The residents of Swat complained that they were inconvenienced by heavy snowfall. However, tourists visited the area in large numbers to enjoy snowfall and take part in winter sports.

Snowfall was also reported in upper parts of Shangla.

Officials said heavy snowfall led to the closure of Bisham-Swat Road at Shangla Top and Alpuri-Puran Road in Yakhtangay to all sorts of traffic. The bad weather also led to the suspension of electric supply in the district.

The Shangla Top received around one foot snowfall until night and also about over a feet snow had fallen in Yakhtangay area, while the mercury remained below the freezing point in the district. Severe cold was also reported in Battagram and adjoining areas due to snowfall and rain.

Published in Dawn, January 5th, 2019