Heavy Snowfall in KP and Northern Pakistan Triggers Rescue Operations, Road Disruptions
KHYBER/SHANGLA/RAWALPINDI: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Rescue 1122 reported on Friday that extensive efforts were underway to assist residents affected by heavy snowfall across the province.
Rescue 1122 spokesperson Bilal Faizi stated that operations were active in Tirah Valley, Painda Cheena, Dawatoi, and Bagh Maidan under directives from the director general of the service. “Twenty-three operational vehicles and over 100 personnel are engaged in ongoing rescue efforts,” he said.
Displaced Residents of Tirah
Residents of Tirah have been leaving their homes amid a planned military operation in the valley. Hundreds of internally displaced families were stranded on roads on Thursday due to the suspension of the registration process caused by the sudden snowfall.
The Khyber Deputy Commissioner’s (DC) office said that, following orders from KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, displaced families were being moved to safer locations. “Stranded families have been shifted to Painda Cheena School and hostel, where relief supplies, blankets, and essential items for children were provided,” the statement said.
The DC office added that rescue and relief operations extended from Nangrosa to Dawatoi and from Dawatoi to Bagh Maidan, prioritizing the evacuation of women and children. Officials confirmed that the provincial government, Pakistan Army, Frontier Corps, and district administration coordinated the relief efforts.
CM Afridi highlighted the urgency of the situation on Thursday night, noting that people were trapped due to the forced evacuation and heavy snowfall. “Resources across the province are being mobilized to ensure everyone’s safety. We are closely monitoring all rescue activities,” he said.
Snowfall in Shangla and Murree
Shangla district received heavy snowfall, disrupting power supply and blocking major roads, including the Karakoram Highway. According to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), snowfall continued from Thursday night into Friday morning, though efforts were underway to reopen blocked routes.
Residents welcomed the snow, with Attaullah Khan of Kotkay reporting 17 inches in his village, anticipating it would alleviate water shortages in spring. Bakht Alam Khan, tehsil council chairman of Chakesar, said the snowfall would benefit agriculture and water resources, despite temporary road disruptions. Children in villages like Bisham also expressed joy, as the region had not seen snow since 2013.
In Murree, snowfall began Thursday evening, with some areas recording up to two feet. The Deputy Commissioner Agha Zaheer Shirazi confirmed that vehicle entry had been restricted in the city due to weather conditions, but roads remained open and tourists were moving freely.
Weather Forecast
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) predicted more rain and snowfall from Sunday night to Tuesday across various regions. A westerly wave approaching western Pakistan on January 25 is expected to bring rain and snowfall to Balochistan, upper Sindh, Gilgit-Baltistan, Kashmir, KP, Murree, Islamabad-Rawalpindi, and surrounding areas from January 26–27. The forecast includes isolated heavy snowfall, thunderstorms, and rain in multiple districts.
