WEBDESK (Azaad English): After weeks of dry weather, Murree received a beautiful blanket of snow, drawing tourists and turning the scenic hill station into a breathtaking winter destination. Visitors flocked to Mall Road and surrounding areas to enjoy the snowfall, while local authorities worked to manage the sudden weather shift. The snowfall also affected other northern regions, contributing to a significant drop in temperatures.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department spokesperson has said that there is a possibility of more snowfall and rain in Murree over the next 24 hours. Meanwhile, considering the situation in Malka-e-Kohsar Murree, the Deputy Commissioner has issued an advisory for tourists.
The local administration is on high alert. The Chief Traffic Officer of Murree is personally patrolling on a snow bike during the snowfall to assess the situation, while a traffic advisory has also been issued for tourists.
Snowfall Covers Murree and Northern Areas
The tourist destination of Murree suddenly received heavy snow that beautifully blanketed both its streets and roofs. The heavy influx of tourists visited Mall Road to admire the wintry landscapes at the same time local officials rushed to establish control measures.
The regions of Kaghan Valley combined with Abbottabad hills received torrential snow that intensified the wintry conditions. The winter storm dropped six inches of snow on Shogran and two inches of snow on Kaghan but the northern region of Naran received one foot of snow accumulations. Official employees in mountain regions cleared Shogran Road in addition to other routes to ensure traffic quickly returned.
Heavy Rainfall in Major Cities
The rainfall measurement was at its highest level in Golra Islamabad where they reached 70mm and Narowal followed with 48mm while Gujranwala received 47mm and Murree got 23mm and Lund recorded 22mm. The K-P district of Dir Bala received 56mm rainfall whereas Peshawar received 35mm. Rawalakot and Kotli of Azad Jammu and Kashmir received 28mm rainfall while Quetta recorded 5mm as its total.
Rawalpindi and Islamabad welcomed the long-awaited rain basin that occurred after more than three and a half months with dry conditions. The rainfall successfully cleared clogged drains while raising water supplies in Rawal and Khanpur and Simly dams which relieved potable water concerns for summer.
Impact on Agriculture and Water Levels
Agricultural landholders in Potohar especially the rain-fed sectors gave praise to the rain that fell at this time. New rains at the wheat crop booting stage promise to enhance its yields while benefiting the plants. The rain delivered atmospheric nitrogen to crops that is vital for their proper development.
Rawalpindi received so much rain that it quickly elevated the levels of Rawal Dam to its maximum capacity despite its recent low state. Official statements indicate the water level in the dam surpasses the needs of the city throughout the next 90 days with additional precipitation potentially extending this period all the way to monsoon season.
According to the the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), cold and dry weather is expected in most parts of the country in the coming days. However, Balochistan may see light rain and snow over hills until Friday evening, and Sindh’s coastal areas might experience drizzles. Additionally, northeast Punjab will likely have foggy conditions in the morning.
