A fresh spell of rain and snowfall has engulfed several areas of Azad Kashmir enveloping the area with cold and interrupting daily life in mountainous areas.
While some areas saw short intervals of sunshine, cloudy weather was normal in most areas.
Authorities said cold weather continues in Neelum valley where efforts are going on to open roads which were blocked due to snowfall. Roads Kel Taubat Sharda to Phulaoi are being cleared and opened.
However, land routes linking Upper Neelum valley including Taubat, Helmat and Nakro are blocked by heavy snowfall.
Officials said that works are ongoing to reopen other rural roads, including Lawat Bala but progress is slow due to avalanches and landslides in the area.
Earlier, Pakistan’s Meteorological Department (PMD) issued a weather advisory, forecasting light to moderate rain and snowfall across the northern parts of the country and north Balochistan over the coming days, as a shallow westerly weather system moves in.
According to the press release issued by the department, the system is expected to approach western and northern regions from the night of January 30 and may persist until February 3, 2026.
Areas likely to be affected
Mainly cloudy conditions with light to moderate rain, along with snowfall in hilly areas, are expected in Gilgit-Baltistan, including Diamir, Astore, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, and surrounding districts.
Several districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are also expected to see rain and snow between January 31 and February 3. These include Chitral, Dir, Swat, Kalam, Shangla, Kohistan, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Peshawar, and nearby areas, with occasional breaks in between.
Light rain is also forecasted for Islamabad, the Potohar region, and parts of Punjab, including Sialkot, Gujrat, and Gujranwala, from February 1 to February 3, 2026. Murree and the Galliyat may receive light rain or snowfall during the same period.
In north Balochistan, light to moderate rain and snowfall, along with heavy winds, are expected in areas such as Quetta, Ziarat, Zhob, Chaman, and Pishin between 31 January and 1 February.
Possible impacts and advice
The Met office has warned that snowfall may make roads slippery in several mountainous areas, including Naran, Kaghan, Swat, Astore, Hunza, and parts of Kashmir. There is also a risk of landslides or avalanches in upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Kashmir.
As per the PMD, tourists have been advised to remain cautious and avoid unnecessary travel during the forecast period. Daytime temperatures are also expected to drop in many of the affected regions.
Also read: Rain and snow expected in northern areas, north Balochistan: says PMD
