HUNZA: A severe cold wave continued to grip Pakistan on Sunday, with heavy snowfall in northern mountainous regions and freezing winds sweeping across much of the country.
Hunza recorded the lowest temperature nationwide as the mercury plunged to minus 21 degrees Celsius, making it the coldest area in Pakistan during the ongoing cold spell.
According to an international weather monitoring website, the minimum temperature in Hunza was reported at minus 20 degrees Celsius. Other parts of the country also experienced sharply low temperatures, with Quetta recording minus 1 degree Celsius early Sunday morning. Islamabad saw a minimum of 2 degrees, Lahore 3 degrees, Peshawar 4 degrees, and Karachi 7 degrees Celsius.
In the northern areas, snowfall over Babusar Top, Nanga Parbat and surrounding regions further intensified the cold and disrupted road connectivity. Temperatures dropped to minus 19 degrees Celsius in Astore, minus 11 degrees in Chilas and minus 8 degrees in Kalat.
Meanwhile, dense fog combined with freezing conditions continued to disrupt daily life in several parts of Punjab, forcing the closure of major motorways due to dangerously low visibility.
Motorway authorities said traffic was suspended on the M-2 from Lahore to Kot Momin, M-3 from Faizpur to Darkhana, and M-4 from Pindi Bhattian to Multan. Vehicular movement was also halted on the M-5 from Multan to Rohri and the M-11 from Lahore to Sambrial.
Fog-hit conditions were reported on national highways in and around Lahore, Manga Mandi, Pattoki, Okara, Sahiwal and Ahmedpur Sharqia. Traffic flow was also affected in Mian Channu, Khanewal, Multan, Basti Maluk, Lodhran, Bahawalpur, Rahim Yar Khan and Sadiqabad.
Authorities have advised motorists to exercise caution, avoid unnecessary travel during early morning and late-night hours, and follow official traffic advisories as the cold wave persists.
