NEOC issues weather advisory till January 29 as cold wave, heavy snowfall loom

WEB DESK: The National Emergency Operation Centre (NEOC) has issued a weather advisory valid until January 29, warning of severe cold conditions and heavy snowfall across several parts of the country.

According to the NEOC, a new system of westerly winds is expected to affect upper and northern regions, bringing further snowfall over the next 24 to 48 hours. Heavy snowfall is forecast in the mountainous areas of Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, while snowfall is also likely in the northern districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The advisory cautioned that upper areas of Balochistan may face the risk of avalanches due to the prevailing weather conditions. In addition, a severe cold wave is expected to grip most parts of the country during the advisory period.

The NEOC has urged the public to avoid unnecessary travel during snowfall and fog, stressing the need for extra caution in vulnerable areas. Relevant authorities have been directed to keep machinery and response teams on high alert to deal with any emergencies.

Citizens have also been advised to follow safety guidelines issued through the NDMA Disaster Alert mobile application to stay informed and take precautionary measures.

Murree snowfall

Heavy rain accompanied by a hailstorm swept across Rawalpindi and Islamabad on Friday, while Murree received intense snowfall measuring around 15 inches, severely affecting mobility and daily life in the hill station.

The rain began late Thursday night in the twin cities and continued intermittently until Friday afternoon. The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) said the wet spell was likely to persist for another 24 hours, with temperatures expected to fall further in the coming days due to cold westerly winds.

Murree witnessed heavy snowfall from Thursday night, causing temperatures to plunge to around 4 degrees Celsius. As a precautionary measure, authorities closed the Murree Expressway to traffic, citing safety concerns. The district administration also restricted the entry of vehicles into the hill station to avoid accidents amid slippery road conditions.

The prolonged dry spell in Azad Jammu and Kashmir ended as widespread rain and snowfall blanketed upper areas, leading to landslides at some locations and further disrupting travel.

In Rawalpindi and Islamabad, the hailstorm and rain impacted daily wage earners, vendors and traders, who reported a sharp decline in customer turnout. Meteorological officials noted that while cloud cover temporarily raised temperatures, clearer conditions would intensify the cold.

The PMD recorded significant rainfall across the region, with the highest precipitation reported at Zero Point in Islamabad and Chaklala in Rawalpindi. A strong westerly system continues to affect upper parts of the country.

Authorities warned that heavy rain and snowfall could lead to road closures and hazardous travel conditions in several northern and mountainous areas, including Murree, Galliyat, Swat, Chitral, Gilgit-Baltistan and parts of Kashmir. Citizens have been advised to avoid unnecessary travel and follow official advisories as snowfall is expected to continue in upper regions.