National Highway Authority (NHA) on Thursday reopened for traffic in the North Region of Balochistan after clearing the snow.
According to a statement issued here, Member NHA Shahid Ehsanullah took necessary actions to restore the flow of traffic on national highways of Balochistan following the instructions of the Federal Minister for Communications and Postal Services, Asad Mehmood. National highways including Kalat, Chaman, Lak Pass, Nushki, Kuchlak, Qila Saifullah, and Quetta are restored for traffic. Campuses have been established at relevant places to deal with the problems arising from snowfall and NHA Balochistan is actively working to restore the affected highways.
NHA expressed determination saying that the staff is trying day and night to provide the best facilities to the people on its road network within its available resources. The authorities have also appealed to travelers to follow the instructions of the Motorway Police while traveling on national highways. PMD forecast rain with snowfall over hills in upper parts of country during coming days. A westerly wave earlier affecting North Balochistan will grip the upper parts of the country on Friday night and bring rain of light to moderate intensity with snowfall over the hills in various parts during the coming days.
According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), the westerly wave will persist till January 25 with occasional gaps. Under the influence of this weather system, light to moderate rain-wind with snowfall over the hills with chances of isolated hailstorm is expected in Kashmir, Gilgit Baltistan, Murree, Galliyat, Islamabad, Potohar region, Kohistan, Swat, Dir, Chitral, Mansehra, Haripur, Abbottabad, Karak, Charsadda, Peshawar, Nowshera, Swabi, Buner, Bajaur, Kurram, Waziristan, Kohat, Bannu, Sargodha, Mianwali, Khushab, Bhakkar, Faisalabad, Toba Tek Singh, Jhang, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Hafizabad, Mandi Bahauddin, Lahore, Kasur, Sialkot, Narowal, Sheikhupura and Nankana Sahib from January 21-24 with occasional gaps.
Light rain or drizzle is also expected in Multan, Sahiwal, Okara, Pakpattan, Dera Ghazi Khan, Layyah, Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Rahim Yar Khan, Sukkur and Dera Ismail Khan on January 20 and January 21. Rain-wind with moderate to isolated heavy snowfall is expected in Kashmir (Neelum valley, Muzaffarabad, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber, Mirpur), Murree, Galiyat, Chitral, Dir, Swat, Malakand, Kohistan, Mansehra and Abbottabad from January 23- 25. About the possible impacts, the met office revealed that heavy snowfall may disrupt and cause closure of roads in Murree, Galiyat, Naran, Kaghan, Dir, Swat, Kohistan, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Shangla, Astore, Hunza, Skardu, Neelum valley, Bagh, Poonch and Haveli during the forecast period. Landslides in Upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan may also occur during the forecast period. Tourists are advised to remain extra cautious during the spell.
