Snow covers roads, vehicles and trees in Galiyat, Abbottabad, pushing temperatures below zero. Photo: PPI
LAHORE:
Heavy snowfall and dense fog continued to disrupt transport across Pakistan, triggering roadblocks in northern regions and causing extensive delays to rail traffic as winter weather intensified at the start of the new year.
Authorities closed Murree Expressway (N-75) for general traffic from Phulgran Toll Plaza towards Murree due to hazardous conditions caused by continuous snowfall. The route remains open to local residents and emergency vehicles. Officials said machines and additional personnel from the National Highway Authority (NHA) have been deployed to clear snow and restore traffic as soon as conditions improve.
The closure comes amid a surge of tourists heading to hill stations following the season’s first major snowfall in Murree, Galiyat, Nathiagali and Thandiani. Abbottabad and surrounding areas also received snowfall and rain, further intensifying cold weather.
Galiyat region witnessed snowfall on the first day of the new year, while power supply along the Abbottabad-Murree Road was disrupted due to slippery conditions. Shogran recorded more than five inches of snow, while Kaghan district received over two inches, complicating travel in the region.
In Azad Kashmir, rain and snowfall continued for the third consecutive day. Heavy snowfall was reported in the Neelum and Leepa valleys, while intermittent rains in Muzaffarabad led to the closure of several link roads due to unsafe conditions.
In its weather advisory issued on January 1, 2026, the PMD warned that snowfall could cause road closures and slippery conditions in Naran, Kaghan, Dir, Swat, Kohistan, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Shangla, Astore, Hunza, Skardu, Murree, Galliyat, Neelum Valley, Bagh, Poonch.
The department also warned of the risk of landslides and avalanches in upper KP, GB and Kashmir.
The PMD also predicts that fog is likely to persist over the country’s plains during the morning and night hours. Dense fog in these areas severely disrupted railway operations, leaving thousands of passengers stranded at stations and facing long delays.
