Pakistan Snowfall Warning: 9 Dead, Roads Shut

Heavy snowfall grips Pakistan’s upper regions, triggering a PMD weather alert for road closures and landslides in Pakistan. Authorities urge tourist caution Pakistan amid avalanches.

Lahore: The Pakistan Meteorological Department issued a stark Pakistan snowfall warning on Sunday, forecasting road closures and landslides in Pakistan’s upper areas from Monday, 26 January, 2026 to Tuesday, 27 January, 2026. This follows an avalanche in Chitral that killed at least nine people on Friday, 23 January, 2026. The alert affects key tourist spots and hilly districts where heavy falls could strand travellers and disrupt daily life.

The Pakistan snowfall warning highlights risks from a western weather system entering the country. It impacts regions prone to natural disasters during winter. In South Asia such events strain resources and affect cross-border travel in shared Himalayan areas.

PMD Weather Alert Details

The PMD weather alert specifies heavy snowfall in areas including 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.

Officials predict slippery roads and blockages. The PMD weather alert states: “Heavy snowfall may cause road closure/slippery conditions.” It adds a possibility of landslides in Pakistan’s hilly zones of upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir.

This Pakistan snowfall warning aligns with forecasts of cloudy weather intermittent rains thunderstorms and snowfall in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Kashmir Gilgit-Baltistan Balochistan and upper Punjab on Monday. Heavy falls are likely in hilly spots. Rains and thunderstorms may hit south Punjab and upper Sindh too.

The department notes cold winds across most areas. Current conditions show mainly cold and dry weather with very cold partly cloudy skies in upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan. Partly cloudy weather with rain-wind/thunderstorm and snowfall is expected in southwestern Balochistan starting Sunday night.

Landslides in Pakistan and Recent Impacts

Landslides in Pakistan pose ongoing threats during winter spells. The PMD weather alert warns of avalanches in vulnerable hills. In Chitral an avalanche buried a house killing at least nine family members on Friday. Rescue teams recovered bodies amid freezing temperatures.

In Shangla district life halts for the fourth day. Up to four feet of snow covers upper parts termed the heaviest in 13 years by locals. Key roads like Bisham-Swat and Alpuri-Puran remain blocked. Power supply disrupts with collapsed poles and transformers in over 20 spots in Puran tehsil.

Local leader Dayan Ghafar said life is “completely disrupted” in Puran. Resident Mazhar Ali noted their link road closure confines people to homes. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Communication and Works Department clears snow but limited machinery slows progress. Chakesar tehsil cleared four roads on Sunday with work ongoing.

Heavy snowfall avalanches and landslides in Pakistan stall life across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Balochistan Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Roads block travellers strand and electricity fails amid sub-zero weather.

Tourist Caution Pakistan Emphasised

Tourist caution Pakistan is central to the Pakistan snowfall warning. The PMD urges visitors to “remain extra cautious and avoid unnecessary travel during the next two days.” Popular sites like Murree Galliyat and Swat face high risks.

The National Disaster Management Authority echoes this in its 23 January advisory. It warns of avalanche risks in Gilgit-Baltistan Azad Jammu and Kashmir northern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and northern Balochistan from 23 to 29 January. Snow accumulation and cold raise susceptibility on steep slopes.

NDMA advises residents herders and tourists to avoid avalanche-prone paths. Snowfall may close high mountain passes and link roads. Very cold dry conditions follow after 24 January with fog in Punjab and upper Sindh disrupting traffic.

Farmers should protect frost-sensitive crops like orchards vegetables and early wheat. Authorities activate contingency plans and stock snow-clearing equipment.

Background

Pakistan’s northern regions endure harsh winters yearly. Past seasons saw similar Pakistan snowfall warnings leading to fatalities and infrastructure damage. In 2022 heavy snow in Murree killed 23 people in vehicles. Such events prompt better preparedness but challenges persist in remote areas.

The current spell stems from a moderate westerly system peaking in 24 to 48 hours. It brings rain and moderate to heavy snowfall over higher elevations. This follows earlier rains that heightened landslide risks in Hazara division and Kashmir per PMD records.

What’s Next

Monitoring continues as the system grips western and upper parts from Monday. NDMA’s National Emergencies Operation Centre tracks developments. Public should use the Pak NDMA Disaster Alert app for updates. Provincial authorities coordinate responses in affected districts.

Residents demand elected officials like MNA Amir Muqam aid rehabilitation in Shangla. Clearing operations may resume fully post-peak snowfall.

The Pakistan snowfall warning underscores need for vigilance. As weather eases after Tuesday risks of landslides in Pakistan linger in saturated hills. Authorities advise checking official forecasts before travel.

Published in SouthAsianDesk, January 26th, 2026

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