Balochistan has received snow and rainfall in various areas across the province as under the influence of another western weather system which has entered via Iran.
Snowfall has been reported in the provincial capital Quetta, Ziarat and Kalat, which has recorded three inches of snowfall — total 4.5 inches overnight.
Meanwhile, Chaman and the surrounding areas have received heavy rains, leaving the low-lying areas inundated. Showers have also been reported in Mastung, Noshki and Kharan, along with downpour and hail in Gwadar and surrounding areas.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast snowfall and rain in various areas of the country till Tuesday (tomorrow), including parts of Balochistan, Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, along with Islamabad, Murree and Galyat.
Intermittent downpour is also expected in Lahore, Multan and other parts of Punjab.
Additionally, snowfall has also been witnessed in GB's Babusar Top and Nanga Parbat, both of which have received as much as 10 inches of snowfall so far.
In light of the PMD's forecast, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued an alert, warning the masses of rain and snowfall in KP, Balochistan, GB and AJK, in the next 12 hours.
The authority noted that rain was expected in Chitral, Dir, Swat, Kohistan, Shangla, Malakand, Kurram, Waziristan, Peshawar, Swabi, Karak, Bunder, DI Khan and Mansehra, while Astore, Gilgit, Ghizr, Diamer, Skardu, Hunza and other areas expect snowfall.
Pointing out the possibility of slippery roads resulting in affected traffic flow, the NDMA advised caution and has urged people to avoid unnecessary travel during snowfall and rain.
Murree District Police Officer (DPO) Muhammad Raza Tanveer Sipra has issued a travel advisory owing to the forecast of a snowstorm, warning of heavy snowfall from Monday evening till tomorrow.
Tourists and citizens should completely avoid travelling to Murree at night, cautioned the DPO, adding that a hard layer of ice like glass can form on the roads due to the drop in temperature.
"Vehicles' brakes do not work on snowy roads, and night travel can be dangerous," Dr Sipra noted.
He also said that it becomes extremely difficult for snow removal machinery to work in darkness and fog.
Stressing that no vehicle will be allowed to enter Murree without "snow chains" on the tyres, the official advised the public to keep their vehicle's fuel tank full and ensure a mechanical fitness check.
Advising the commuters to maintain 50 metres distance on the road, DPO Sipra said that the travellers should turn on the heater and keep the windows open as lack of oxygen — due to closed windows — can prove to be fatal.
He also warned against parking vehicles on highways or slopes so that they don't hinder the snow-removing process.
