MUZAFFARABAD (Kashmir English): Due to deforestation and climate change, rainfall and snowfall in the mountains have been alarmingly low in Azad Kashmir this year.
Due to a lack of snowfall, there is a fear of severe water shortage in summer, due to which there are clear possibilities of crops and normal life being affected.
The amount of water in the rivers flowing in Azad Kashmir has reduced, while centuries-old springs have dried up. Severe water shortage is also being seen in the springs that exist.
There have been clouds in the sky of Azad Kashmir for the last two or three days; however, according to the Meteorological Department, rain is likely to occur tomorrow or the day after tomorrow.
The Meteorological Department says that the westerly wind system can cause intermittent rains in different areas. Intermittent rain and moderate snowfall are expected in Kashmir under this weather system, while the intensity of cold may increase in the upper areas.
According to the Meteorological Department, a westerly wind system will move towards the western regions from the night of December 29 and will become stronger from December 30.
On December 31, this system will affect mostly the central and upper regions and will persist in the upper regions till the morning of January 2.
Expected rain and snowfall
Intermittent rain and moderate snowfall is expected in Gilgit-Baltistan (Diamer, Astore, Ghezer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ganche, Shigar) and Kashmir (Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Hewli, Sidhnoti, Kotli, Bhimber, Mirpur) from the evening of December 30 to the morning of January 2.
Expected impacts and instructions
Due to snowfall, there is a risk of road closures or slippage in Naran, Kaghan, Dir, Swat, Kohistan, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Shangla, Astore, Hunza, Skardu, Murree, Galiat, Neelum Valley, Bagh, Poonch, Haveli.
Landslides or avalanches are possible in the mountainous areas of Upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Kashmir. Tourists have been advised to avoid unnecessary travel and take extra precautions. The possibility of fog will decrease in central and southern Punjab and upper Sindh. Daytime temperatures are expected to drop further next week.
