By Khushal Khan

PESHAWAR - Severe winter weather has gripped Pakistan’s northern and northwestern regions, leaving at least 10 people dead after a snow avalanche struck Lower Chitral, while thousands remain stranded or displaced across parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) amid heavy snowfall, freezing temperatures and landslide risks.

According to Chitral district authorities, the avalanche hit the Damil Arandu area of Lower Chitral, killing 10 members of the same family. Rescue teams recovered all bodies after hours-long efforts in difficult terrain. Officials said the tragedy has plunged the remote valley into mourning.

The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) KP warned that continued snowfall and deteriorating weather conditions have sharply increased the risk of avalanches and landslides in mountainous districts, urging residents and tourists to avoid unnecessary travel. 

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) said widespread intermittent rain, thunderstorms and snowfall over high mountains are expected over the next 24 hours across Upper and Lower Chitral, Swat, Dir, Kohistan, Mansehra, Shangla, Battagram, Abbottabad, Kurram, Bajaur and several other districts.

Authorities cautioned that moderate to heavy snowfall could lead to road closures and slippery conditions in tourist and high-altitude areas including Kalam, Malam Jabba, Naran, Kaghan and Chitral, while landslides may block roads in vulnerable hilly regions.

Over the past 24 hours, Parachinar recorded 110 mm of rainfall, Malam Jabba 76 mm, Kakul 73 mm and Cherat 70 mm. Snowfall reached 38 inches in Malam Jabba, 30 inches in Kalam, and 16 inches in Chitral, with minimum temperatures plunging to -7°C in Parachinar.

Separately, heavy snowfall in Tirah Valley, near the Afghan border in Khyber district, has worsened humanitarian conditions. Continuous snow over several days has left vehicles stranded between Bagh Markaz and the Dawatoi checkpoint, trapping women, children and the elderly in freezing conditions.

Local sources report that thousands of people have been displaced, with alarming accounts of children dying from cold exposure. Residents and rights activists have urged authorities to pause displacement operations, clear access routes and allow families time and assistance to protect themselves from the extreme cold.

Officials have advised tourists to remain extra cautious and avoid travel to high-risk areas during the ongoing wet spell, warning that flash flooding in local streams and further landslides cannot be ruled out.

Rescue and relief agencies remain on alert as winter conditions continue to intensify across northern Pakistan.