Heavy rain and snowfall have returned sharply to Pakistan’s northern regions, bringing cold weather and significant disruptions to daily life and travel. In Murree, continuous hailstorms and heavy rain triggered landslides that blocked vital routes, including the Lawrence College Road to Pangan Dhak Jhika Gali link road, affecting local residents. Authorities are actively working to clear these blockages and restore access.
In a tragic development, two individuals lost their lives in Murree due to a weather-related incident involving strong winds and heavy rainfall. Meanwhile, in Diamer, Gilgit-Baltistan, intermittent rain has persisted since the previous day, with snowfall reported at high-altitude locations such as Babusar Top, Batoga Top, and Nanga Parbat, further intensifying the cold conditions.
Heavy rainfall in Upper and Lower Kohistan has caused mountain streams to swell, leading to partial blockages on the Karakoram Highway near Chalas due to landslides. The Deputy Commissioner of Diamer confirmed that the highway was temporarily blocked at Zaid Khara in Upper Kohistan. Restoration efforts are underway near Lower Kohistan, with heavy machinery deployed to clear the routes, although the risk of additional landslides remains a concern.
Officials have urged the public to avoid unnecessary travel and to take all necessary precautions during this period of severe weather. Forecasts predict more rain and snowfall in Gilgit-Baltistan from April 1 to April 4, 2026.
In Kotli, Azad Kashmir, torrential rain and hailstorms have severely disrupted daily life. Power outages have been reported in multiple areas, while overflowing streams have flooded low-lying neighborhoods. Roads in parts of the city have become submerged, resembling ponds and complicating movement.
