Freezing temperatures and heavy snowfall continued to disrupt daily life across parts of Gilgit-Baltistan, northern Punjab and Balochistan on Tuesday, blocking key highways, cutting off remote areas and compounding hardships for already vulnerable communities.
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In Gilgit-Baltistan, a fresh spell of snowfall brought routine activities to a halt as major routes, including the Karakoram Highway (KKH), Ghizer-Shandur Road, Baltistan Road and several link roads, were closed due to snow and slippery conditions. Temperatures in upper areas dropped below minus 15 degrees Celsius, while police reported up to six inches of snow in districts including Skardu, Astore, Ghanche, Shigar, Kharmang, Hunza, Nagar and Ghizer.
Residents said road closures had isolated many areas. In Astore, routes to Shounter, Dasskharam, Tirshing, Rattu, Gultari and Minimarg were blocked. Conditions were particularly severe in Hunza, Nagar and Ghizer, where earthquake- and flood-affected families living in tents faced added difficulties. Power outages and communication breakdowns were also reported in several localities.
Travel between Gilgit-Baltistan and other parts of the country remained suspended on sections of the KKH, with authorities warning of rockfall risks and urging people to avoid unnecessary travel. The caretaker chief minister directed disaster management and district authorities to clear highways and take preventive measures amid continuing snowfall and rain.
In Murree, nine inches of snow was recorded at the weather observatory, while temperatures fell to minus three degrees Celsius. The district administration temporarily restricted traffic before reopening the GT Road after snowfall subsided. Officials said hospitals were functioning normally and electricity supply remained uninterrupted, though some link roads were still being cleared.
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Meanwhile, heavy snowfall blanketed Quetta, Ziarat and several towns across northern and central Balochistan, affecting traffic on major highways and inter-provincial routes. The Quetta-Ziarat Road was closed, while snowfall was also reported in Zhob, Chaman, Qila Saifullah, Kalat, Mastung, Noshki and Dalbandin. Officials warned that icy conditions could persist and advised residents and travellers to exercise caution.