First Winter Snowfall Hits Dir and Swat, Cold Intensifies and Damage Reported

Peshawar: Heavy rain, hail, and thunderstorms in Dir and Swat districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have intensified the winter chill, causing disruptions and damage across the region.

In Dir, darkness fell during the downpour and hailstorm, while swollen streams and torrents disrupted traffic on the GT Road. Landslides on roads in upper areas left residents stranded in their homes. Crops, orchards, and vehicles were damaged due to the harsh weather, and widespread power outages were reported as the electricity system collapsed across the district.

Similarly, Swat experienced heavy rain and hail, increasing the severity of the cold. Torrential rainfall in Mingora city caused local streams to overflow. Poor performance by the Water and Sanitation Services Company (WSSC) was evident, as blocked drains led to water accumulation on roads, causing major difficulties for residents.

Upper areas, including Kalam, Mahodand, Atror, and Gabral, received the season’s first snowfall, bringing temperatures down sharply. Lightning strikes in Chakdara caused a fault in a 132,000-volt line, suspending electricity supply in multiple areas. According to WAPDA Swat, restoration efforts are underway, but no timeline has been provided for full recovery.