RAWALPINDI: Snowfall in Murree and drizzles in some parts of the twin cities on Monday made the weather chilly as the Met Office predicts temperature falling to 0°C to -1°C in the twin cities this week.

In the past three days, temperature has plunged to zero degree Celsius, with the meteorological department forecasting cold wave to increase further in Rawalpindi and Islamabad.

“Usually, the temperature of Islamabad and adjoining Rawalpindi dropped to freezing point in December and January. In mid December, the temperature dropped to -1 for two days but on Monday, 3 degree Celsius temperature recorded in Rawalpindi and Islamabad due to the clouds,” a Met Office official told Dawn.

He said the temperature would further drop on Tuesday (today), adding that the temperature dropping to minus degree Celsius was not unusual and was routine in winter in Potohar region, especially in Islamabad and Rawalpindi.

CTO issues travel advisory for tourists visiting Murree

The Met Office official said continental air was prevailing over most parts of the country, adding that “a shallow westerly wave is present over Kashmir and adjoining areas”.

He said cold and dry weather was expected in most parts of the country and very cold in hilly areas during morning and night hours.

“Frost is likely to occur at a few places in Islamabad, Potohar region and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa during morning hours. Smog/fog (in patches) is likely to persist in plain areas of Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and upper Sindh during morning/night hours,” he added.

However, light drizzle was recorded at a few places in the twin cities with light snow in Murree, Galliyat and Kashmir. Around 2.5 inches of snow fell in Murree. Weather will remain clear on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Murree district administration has sprinkled salt on various highways.

Murree Deputy Commissioner Agha Zaheer Abbas Shirazi also visited different areas in the hill station during snow, including Lower Topa, Jhika Gali, Kuldana, Barian and Kali Mati.

He directed the administration to provide all possible facilities to tourists, and called on people visiting the hill station to be aware of the weather situation and cooperate with the local authorities.

He said tourists should ensure that their vehicles were mechanically fit before coming to Murree, adding that all administrative departments were on alert, tourists should cooperate with the administration.

Rawalpindi

Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) Murree Mughees Ahmed Hashmi on Monday issued an advisory for tourists to travel to the hill station in mechanically fit four-wheel drive vehicles with a full tank of fuel.

The CTO Murree said the city traffic police were ready to provide all possible facilities to tourists, adding that in case of vehicle slipping during snowfall, chains should be wrapped around tyres to avoid any mishap.

He further said during snowfall, do not park vehicles in a no-parking area along the road as parking areas had been designated in Murree to avoid disruption in traffic flow.

City Traffic Police have also issued a plea to motorists to follow the instruction of traffic wardens deployed at different points during snowfall as they played an important role in making people’s lives and journey safe.

The CTO also warned that no one would be allowed to violate traffic rules, saying that in case of traffic problems anywhere in Murree, the traffic control room should be contacted.

Published in Dawn, December 24th, 2024