Karachi is currently experiencing a cold wave, with temperatures plummeting to 11°C, bringing relief and joy to residents who eagerly anticipate the city’s short but refreshing winter season.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) said that the temperature is expected to stay between 10-12°C, with humidity at 36% and northeasterly winds blowing at 8 km/h.
This drop follows the PMD’s earlier warning about a “mild cold wave” in Sindh, with temperatures at night expected to range from 7-9°C.
Other regions are also experiencing colder temperatures, particularly in Balochistan. In Quetta, the temperature has fallen to -4°C, and Kalat has recorded -6°C.
Additional areas like Nokkundi, Gwadar, and Sibi have reported temperatures of 0°C, 7°C, and 9°C, respectively.
In Ziarat, residents are facing hardships due to freezing water pipes and gas outages amid the cold winds.
On the other hand, the season’s first snowfall blanketed popular tourist destinations, creating both beauty and challenges.
Light snowfall was reported in Abbottabad, Changla Gali, Khaira Gali, and Khanspur.
In the Kaghan Valley, intermittent snowfall continued in Kaghan, Naran, and Shogran, with temperatures at Babusar Top plunging to -7°C.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department had forecast that dry and cold weather would dominate most parts of the country over the next 24 hours.
However, it predicted cloudy skies with isolated rain and snowfall in upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, Kashmir, and adjacent mountainous areas.
In Balakot, heavy snowfall in the tourist hotspots of Shogran and Siri Paye stranded several visitors as roads became impassable.
According to DSP Kaghan Circle Uzair Khan, rescue operations successfully evacuated all tourists to safety.
“All stranded tourists have been safely moved to Shogran,” said DSP Khan. “No tourists remain at Siri Paye. Police teams were stationed in Shogran to assist and guide visitors,” he added.
DSP Khan said that tourists would only be allowed to travel to Balakot once weather conditions improved.
The Kaghan Valley, renowned for its breathtaking scenery, had turned into a winter wonderland, attracting adventurers and nature enthusiasts.
However, authorities had advised travelers to stay updated on weather conditions and exercise caution when visiting snow-covered regions.
A day earlier, the PMD had issued a snow security alert in Murree and Galyat on Sunday. The forecast came after a long drought.
All Sahulat centers had become operational, and the first mock rehearsal had also been completed. The Met Office also forecast the first rains of winter in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad, Rawalpindi Division, and the beginning of freezing cold on Saturday.