Islamabad : A biting cold wave continued to grip the country on Monday as the National Weather Forecasting Centre (NWFC) reported that a fresh western disturbance would remain active in northern Pakistan until Tuesday. The forecast warned of heavy snowfall and rain in several regions, raising the risk of traffic disruption, landslides, and avalanches in mountainous areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan. Tourists were advised to exercise caution and avoid unnecessary travel during this period.

The NWFC said that rain, wind, thunderstorms, and snowfall were expected across Balochistan, KP, Kashmir, and GB, while southern Punjab and upper Sindh could also experience scattered showers. Islamabad and parts of Punjab were forecast to receive rain and thunderstorms in the evening and night hours. On Tuesday, the system is likely to bring further rain and snowfall accompanied by strong winds in upper KP, Kashmir, GB, and northern Punjab.

The past 24 hours saw cold and dry weather in most parts of the country, with rain and snowfall reported in northeastern and western Balochistan as well as upper KP. Leh recorded the lowest temperature at -12°C, followed by -8°C in Kalam and Ziarat.

Relief operations were carried out by the Pakistan Army in Orakzai and Kurram districts of KP, where heavy snowfall had blocked roads and stranded vehicles. Troops cleared routes on an emergency basis and evacuated passengers to safety. In Kurram, an eight-kilometre stretch of the Manato Sadda road was reopened using heavy machinery.

Meanwhile, Balochistan’s Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) was placed on high alert as rain and snowfall continued to affect the province. Director of Relief Operations Mir Attaullah Mengal said teams had been mobilised since the onset of the weather system and were working even at night to keep highways open. He stressed that uninterrupted traffic flow and public safety were top priorities, adding that the Provincial Emergency Operations Centre was functioning round the clock to coordinate relief efforts.

In Karachi, the Pakistan Meteorological Department predicted partly cloudy and cold weather with chances of light rain in Sukkur, Larkana, Jacobabad, and Dadu. Temperatures in Karachi are expected to remain between highs of 21–23°C and lows of 9–12°C over the next three days, with varying humidity levels and shifting wind patterns.

With freezing temperatures, heavy snowfall, and widespread rain forecast to continue, authorities across Pakistan remain on high alert, urging citizens to take precautions as the cold wave tightens its grip.