Pakistan is bracing for another round of rain, snow and freezing temperatures as the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) warned that a new westerly weather system will affect large parts of the country from Sunday night through Tuesday, compounding disruption already caused by severe winter conditions in the upper regions.
According to the PMD, the fresh weather system will enter western parts of the country on January 25 and spread to upper regions by January 26, bringing rain, strong winds and thunderstorms in plains, while heavy snowfall is expected in mountainous areas. Authorities across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Kashmir, northern Balochistan and parts of Punjab have been placed on high alert due to the risk of road blockages, landslides and avalanches.
The warning comes as life in several northern and western regions remains severely disrupted by ongoing snowfall and extreme cold. Key highways have been blocked, remote communities cut off, and tourists stranded in multiple locations.
In northern Balochistan, snow and icy conditions have paralysed travel on major routes, including the Quetta–Ziarat and N-50 highways, where traffic has been suspended at several points. Dozens of vehicles remained stranded, while more than 100 tourists were reported stuck in and around Chaman. Authorities also imposed a temporary ban on tourist travel to Ziarat due to hazardous road conditions.
Temperatures in parts of Balochistan plunged to minus 12 degrees Celsius, freezing water pipelines and causing acute shortages of drinking water in Quetta, Kalat, Chaman and Ziarat. Although snowfall has eased in some areas, intense cold and strong Siberian winds continue to grip the region.
Meanwhile, heavy snowfall has affected several districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including Mansehra, Shangla, Dir, Swat, Kohistan, Kalam and Chitral, with reports of vehicles stranded and travel severely restricted. In Tirah Valley, rain and snow left around 100 vehicles stuck, prompting rescue operations by Rescue 1122, which shifted dozens of people to safer locations.
Looking ahead, the PMD has forecast rain with strong winds and thunderstorms in Balochistan on January 25 and 26, while upper Sindh may also receive rainfall on January 26. From January 26 to 27, widespread rain and snowfall are expected in Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Kashmir, Chitral, Dir, Swat, Shangla, Kohistan, Murree and the Galiyat, with brief breaks in between.
Islamabad and surrounding areas are also likely to see showers, while parts of Punjab may experience cloudy weather with intermittent rain. Authorities have advised commuters and tourists to exercise caution, particularly in hilly areas where slippery roads, poor visibility and sudden closures are likely.
Relevant departments have been placed on alert to respond swiftly to emergencies, as officials warn that the incoming system could further disrupt daily life, travel and tourism across large parts of the country.
