• Predicts heavy snowfall likely to cause slippery roads in GB, upper KP, Kashmir, and parts of Balochistan
• Govt imposes ban on picnicking and camping in Ziarat and Kachhi districts
• Earthquake-hit Chipurson Valley residents continue to suffer in freezing temperatures
ISLAMABAD/QUETTA/GILGIT: The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) on Sunday warned of road closures and landslides in the country’s upper parts from Jan 26 to 27 due to heavy snowfall, advising citizens to remain “extra cautious”.
In a statement, the Met Office said heavy snowfall could cause road closures and slippery conditions in Naran, Kaghan, Dir, Swat, Kalam, Chitral, Kohistan, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Shangla, Astore, Hunza, Skardu, Murree, Galliyat, Neelum Valley, Bagh, Poonch, Haveli, Quetta, Ziarat, Chaman, Pishin, Qila Abdullah, Qila Saifullah, Nushki, Harnai, and Zhob.
It further warned of a possibility of landslides and avalanches in hilly areas of upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Kashmir during the period.
The PMD advised tourists to avoid unnecessary travel and remain extra cautious over the next two days.
Picnicking banned
Meanwhile, the Balochistan government has imposed a ban on picnicking and camping at tourist points in Ziarat and Kachhi districts.
The decision has been taken in view of the prevailing harsh cold weather and the forecast of heavy rain and snowfall from Monday (today).
Deputy commissioners of both Kachhi and Ziarat have imposed the ban under Section 144 until further orders.
According to official notifications issued by the deputy commissioners, the decision was taken on the directives of the Director General, Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), Balochistan, in view of prevailing and anticipated winter hazards. These include extreme cold, heavy snowfall, landslides, roads blockages and other recurring risks.
The notifications stated that immediate preventative measures were necessary to safeguard public life and property within the limits of both districts.
There will be a complete ban on picnic spots and tourist destinations, riverbanks, nullahs, dams, mountainous and hilly areas, as well as other identified vulnerable and high-risk locations in Ziarat and Kachhi districts.
“Complete prohibition has been imposed on entering, gathering, camping, picnicking, swimming, and unnecessary movement of the general public at the above-mentioned locations during the enforcement period. Non-essential travel to high-risk areas during adverse weather conditions is strictly prohibited,” the notification said.
It further warned that any act endangering human life or obstructing emergency and relief operation would be dealt with in accordance with the law.
The district administrations of both districts have directed the SSPs and other concerned authorities to strictly implement these orders.
Hardships
People in Gilgit-Baltistan, particularly earthquake-affected residents of Chipurson Valley in Gojal, Hunza, continue to suffer due to road blockages, prolonged electricity shortages, disruptive mobile and internet connectivity, and the absence of heating facilities amid freezing temperatures.
Heavy snowfall across Gilgit-Baltistan from Thursday to Friday brought life to a standstill.
According to police, heavy snowfall and landslides disrupted roads connecting upper areas of Astore, Skardu, Ghanche, Kharmang, Shigar, Ghizer, Hunza, and Nagar. Linking roads to upper regions became slippery and risky for travel.
The Gilgit-Baltistan Communication and Works Department said in a statement that several roads, including the Astore Valley Road, had been reopened for traffic. Traffic on the Karakoram Highway, Ghizer–Shandur Road, and Baltistan Road has also been restored.
On Saturday evening,Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police halted passenger vehicles travelling from Rawalpindi to Gilgit-Baltistan as a precautionary measure, citing dangerous road conditions due to snowfall during night hours. As a result, thousands of passengers remained stranded near Abbottabad for several hours, where some staged protests.
Residents of earthquake-hit Chipurson Valley continue to face severe difficulties, with hundreds of people still living in tents after the recent earthquake damaged or cracked many homes.
Across the region, people are facing over 20 hours of electricity load-shedding. In Gahkuch, the headquarters of Ghizer district, residents staged a protest demonstration against prolonged power outages.
Earlier, the Gilgit-Baltistan government issued a travel advisory for tourists, stating that heavy snowfall had been recorded in Hunza, Nagar, Ghizer, Astore, Skardu, Shigar, Ghanche, Kharmang, and Diamer.
Published in Dawn, January 26th, 2026
