Key points
- Early winter snowfall blocks roads and isolates upper valleys in Gilgit-Baltistan, KP
- Dozens of tourists, commuters stranded in remote areas amid freezing temperatures
- Rescue and road clearance operations launched by local authorities
ISLAMABAD: A powerful early-season snowstorm has swept across Pakistan’s northern highlands, trapping dozens of tourists and residents in the scenic regions of Gilgit-Baltistan, Chitral, and Kalam, local officials said Monday.
The sudden onset of winter weather has blocked major mountain routes, disrupted transport, and left remote valleys isolated under several feet of snow.
According to government and media reports, heavy snowfall since Saturday night has blanketed upper Hunza, Skardu, and Astore, as well as popular tourist destinations in Chitral and Kalam. Authorities have launched emergency rescue and road clearance operations to reopen key arteries, including sections of the Karakoram Highway (KKH) and Lowari Pass, temporarily closed due to icy conditions.
According to Radio Pakistan, intermittent snowfall since Saturday night has blanketed upper Hunza, Skardu, and Astore, as well as key tourist sites in Upper Chitral and Kalam. Rescue teams and district authorities have initiated efforts to reopen key routes, including stretches of the Karakoram Highway (KKH) and Lowari Pass, which were temporarily closed due to snow accumulation and icy conditions.
Tourists among those stranded
Officials in Kalam confirmed that several groups of domestic tourists were stranded after vehicles became immobilised on slippery mountain roads.
Local hotels and guesthouses have been providing temporary shelter as machinery clears snow from major arteries. In Chitral, the district administration deployed snow removal equipment to restore traffic toward Mastuj and Shandur.
Early onset of winter weather
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) reported that a westerly weather system had entered the upper parts of the country, resulting in widespread rainfall and snow in mountainous regions. The department forecast further precipitation over the next 48 hours in Gilgit-Baltistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and adjoining areas, urging travellers to exercise caution.
Connectivity and power concerns
Local power disruptions and mobile network interruptions were also reported in parts of Upper Dir and Gilgit, with officials warning that restoration may take time if snowfall continues. Authorities have advised tourists to delay non-essential travel to the northern valleys until conditions improve.
