The scenic Skardu Valley has been hit by an extreme cold wave, with temperatures falling to –11°C in inhabited areas and dropping further to –14°C in the surrounding highlands, residents and local sources reported on Saturday. Despite clear, sunny days, the freezing conditions show no sign of easing, casting a deep chill across the region.
Daily Life Disrupted as Cold Wave Tightens Grip
The severe cold has forced many residents indoors, while thick morning fog has slowed traffic on major routes, creating delays and visibility hazards.
Tourist activity — usually high even in the winter months — has significantly declined as temperatures continue to fall and travel becomes increasingly difficult.
Demand for firewood and LPG has surged sharply, while frequent power outages have added to the hardships for locals already struggling with the biting cold.
Met Office Warns of Further Drop in Temperature
The Pakistan Meteorological Department has cautioned that the cold wave is expected to intensify in the coming days, with conditions remaining dry, harsh, and sharply chilly.
Snowfall Leads to Road Closures in Naran–Babusar Region
Heavy snowfall at Babusar Top has resulted in the complete closure of the road from Battakundi to the summit, a stretch popular among winter tourists.
Authorities have restricted visitor movement, allowing travel only up to Lake Saif-ul-Malook and Battakundi — and only between 11 am and 2 pm — to minimise the risk of accidents on slippery mountain roads.
Separately, the Met Office has forecast additional snowfall for Kaghan, Naran, and Babusar Top during the first week of December, with the spell potentially lasting up to four days.
