Shangla – Rainfall continued for the fourth consecutive day in Shangla and other upper districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, while hailstorms in mountainous areas brought a sudden change in weather and an early onset of cold. According to reports, intermittent rain persisted in both the upper hilly areas and the plains of KP. During the night between Thursday and Friday, heavy rain in the upper areas was followed by hail at several places, leading to a noticeable drop in temperature. The weather turned pleasant, while colder conditions began to prevail in high-altitude areas.
In view of the increased cold in the upper mountainous areas following the heavy rain and hail, herders have started shifting their livestock from colder regions to warmer plains. The seasonal migration of livestock from upper areas usually begins with a change in weather and the onset of cold. However, this year, the process has accelerated due to increased rainfall and the early arrival of cold weather. Herders living in the upper mountains and pastures are moving their animals to safer and relatively warmer areas.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department has forecast that the current spell of rain will continue for the next two days, with further rain, strong winds and colder weather expected in the upper areas.
Continuous rainfall has also disrupted daily life in hilly areas, while water levels in local streams and rivers in low-lying and riverine areas have risen.
Meanwhile, debris from landslides caused by heavy rains last week on the Bisham-Alpurai Highway has not yet been fully cleared, causing continued difficulties for traffic. Citizens and commuters have urged the relevant departments to immediately remove debris from landslide-hit areas and make the highway safe to prevent possible accidents during the ongoing rains.
In Alpurai and surrounding areas, the power supply system was severely affected as soon as the rain began. Several feeders were shut down, plunging most parts of the valley into darkness on Thursday night. The prolonged power outage caused severe hardship for residents, while the suspension of electricity during the rains also affected domestic consumers and business activities.
Locals said power outages have become routine with the onset of rain, creating serious problems for residents. They demanded that the authorities take emergency measures to stabilize the power system during rain and other adverse weather conditions and expedite the restoration of affected feeders.
Due to torrential rain, water levels in local streams and rivers in Shangla also rose, raising concerns about possible disruption to local irrigation and related activities. In view of the possibility of flash floods in streams following heavy rain in mountainous areas, local residents have been advised to remain cautious.
Citizens said that while continuous rainfall has made the weather pleasant and the natural environment more scenic, landslides, power outages and disruptions on highways have increased public difficulties. They urged the district administration, relevant departments and power authorities to take emergency measures to restore roads, electricity and other basic facilities during the rains.
