News
January 23, 2026
Dawn
White as Far as the Eye Can See: Snowfall in Parts of Pakistan
Heavy snow has been reported in Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and other parts of Pakistan over the past two days, with the Meteorological Department on Friday forecasting more rain and snowfall from Sunday night till Tuesday.
Amid extreme weather, the Met department has advised tourists to remain extra cautious and avoid unnecessary travelling during this period.
It has also asked the authorities concerned to remain vigilant and take necessary measures to avoid any untoward situation.
According to another story, commuters and residents faced difficulties on Thursday as snow blanketed several parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Murree.
While a restriction was placed on the entry of vehicles into Murree, a rescue operation was under way in Tirah.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Rescue 1122 Spokesperson Bilal Faizi said on Friday that a comprehensive rescue operation was ongoing to help the people affected by heavy snowfall in the province.
“The operation is ongoing in Tirah valley, Painda Cheena, Dawatoi and Bagh Maidan on the directives of Rescue 1122 director general,” he said in a statement.
“Twenty-three operational vehicles of Rescue 1122 and rescue teams comprising more than 100 personnel are taking part in the rescue operation,” he said.
In an update at 5:30pm, Rescue 1122 said 50 stranded vehicles and around 100 affected people had been rescued in Tirah.
“The affected people have been shifted to safer locations, and the rescue operation is ongoing,” the Rescue 1122 statement said.
It should be mentioned that the residents of Tirah have been vacating their homes amid a planned military operation against militants in the restive valley. Hundreds of displaced families were stranded on the road on Thursday due to the prolonged registration process, which was suspended in the evening due to heavy snowfall that began in earlier in the day.
A statement issued by the Khyber Deputy Commissioner’s (DC) office on Friday said efforts were underway under the directives of KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi to shift internally displaced persons (IDPs) stranded due to recent snowfall to safe locations.
“The stranded families were shifted to Painda Cheena School and hostel, and a consignment of relief goods was also delivered at the location during the night,” it said.
The statement further said that all the families were provided with blankets, while children were given sweaters and other essential items.
“Due to timely relief operations by the provincial government, Pakistan Army, Frontier Corps and the district administration, all families remained safe. All affected families were provided immediate relief,” the statement said.
On Thursday night, KP CM Afridi had highlighted that the people of Tirah were stranded in the snowfall due to the “forced evacuation”.
“The district administration as well as the resources of the entire province are being used to help them. People are trapped in about three places,” he said.
Afridi said some people were being transported to nearby homes as well as to areas designated by the district administration. He also said that contact could not be established with some people due to a lack of mobile signals and blocked roads.
“I am personally monitoring all the rescue activities. All departments have been instructed to rescue people and provide relief,” he said.
Meanwhile, KP’s Shangla district received a heavy amount of snowfall, blocking major roads, including the Karakoram Highway, and disrupting the power supply to most areas.
According to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), snowfall was reported in most parts of the province’s north on Thursday night, which continued till Friday morning.
It said the heavy snowfall caused the blockade of roads in various districts. However, efforts were underway to reopen the roads.
Attaullah Khan, a resident of Kotkay, told Dawn that his village had received 17 inches of snow last night. He said residents were anticipating that this snow would resolve the water shortage during the spring.
“I remember this heavy and constant snow was received in our village years ago. We are totally dependent on snow because we use spring water which comes from the mountain tops,” Khan said. - Dawn
Courtesy Dawn
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