KP Winter Emergency: Eight Districts at High Risk

The KP winter emergency plan has placed eight districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in the very high-risk category, prompting the provincial government to order departments to complete preparations well before severe weather sets in.

The directives were issued at a meeting of the Relief Department chaired by Samar Haroon Bilour, the Governor’s Adviser on Information and Public Relations and Relief, Rehabilitation and Settlement. The meeting reviewed the winter contingency plan for 2026-27, the effects of climate change, natural disasters, terrorism, traffic accidents and the province’s overall emergency preparedness.

Officials told the meeting that winter hazards had been assessed in all 37 districts, with eight placed in the very high-risk category. The briefing also covered available resources, emergency supplies, district-wise needs and the extra facilities required to deal with possible emergencies.

KP winter emergency plan names six snow-prone districts

Bilour directed the authorities to pay special attention to snowfall-prone areas, including Upper Chitral, Upper Kohistan, Upper Dir, Shangla, Mansehra and Swat. She ordered the timely availability of machinery, fuel and trained operators to restore roads in remote valleys and snowbound areas.

Authorities were also directed to identify routes likely to be blocked during winter, alternative access roads and isolated communities, and to make arrangements for them in advance.

She called for immediate checks of relief stocks, their availability against district needs, and improvements in the transport and distribution system. She also directed officials to assess district-level relief fund needs and to address financial problems on a priority basis.

Bilour said the Relief Department’s finances and funding would be taken up with the Finance Department and the governor so they could be resolved in time.

Vulnerable people to get priority in relief work

Bilour stressed that homeless, poor and vulnerable people, particularly women, children, elderly citizens and persons with disabilities, must receive priority in relief operations.

For terrorism, road accidents and other emergencies, she directed that rescue teams, vehicles and equipment stay ready round the clock. She stressed effective coordination among Rescue 1122, district administrations, police and the Health Department so that help could reach people swiftly.

She also directed officials to provide immediate financial and relief assistance to families affected by accidents and other emergencies, keeping the process simple, transparent and free of needless bureaucratic hurdles.

District and provincial emergency operation centres must stay fully functional, she said, with stronger monitoring and timely sharing of information.

Snowfall has already blocked roads in Hazara

The preparations come as winter weather has already reached the province. Mountainous parts of Hazara division received heavy snowfall for a second straight day on Thursday, while rain lashed low-lying areas. The Mansehra-Naran-Jalkhad Road stayed blocked beyond Batakundi, and five oil tankers remained stranded near Babusar Top.

Link roads joining dozens of villages to main roads, including the Mansehra-Naran-Jalkhad Road and the Karakoram Highway, were blocked by landslides. The snowfall began early on Wednesday and continued in the Kaghan, Siren and Konsh valleys of Mansehra and the Kandia and Spat valleys of Kohistan.

The adviser also stressed visitor safety at tourist spots, timely weather alerts, the marking of safe locations and arrangements for emergency evacuations. Hotels in Kaghan valley have said they will keep welcoming tourists until the valley closes fully for the winter season.

The winter plan matters beyond Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Climate disasters already displace about 1,000 families a year in Gilgit-Baltistan, and Balochistan faces its own winter showers and gas shortages each year. Pakistan ranks among the countries worst hit by climate change.

Frequently asked questions

Which KP districts face the highest winter risk?

Eight districts are in the very high-risk category. Six snowfall-prone districts were named: Upper Chitral, Upper Kohistan, Upper Dir, Shangla, Mansehra and Swat.

What has the KP government ordered for the winter?

Departments must complete preparations before severe weather, keep machinery, fuel and trained operators ready, check relief stocks, identify roads likely to be blocked, and keep emergency operation centres fully functional.

Who gets priority in relief operations?

Homeless and poor people, particularly women, children, elderly citizens and persons with disabilities, must receive priority in relief operations.

Has winter weather already hit KP?

Yes. Heavy snowfall fell for a second straight day in Hazara division, the Mansehra-Naran-Jalkhad Road stayed blocked beyond Batakundi, and five oil tankers remained stranded near Babusar Top.