Spark Tourist Rush To Hill Stations

APP

Abbottabad: After days of relentless heat and dry weather, residents across Hazara Division finally breathed a sigh of relief as a spell of rain and thunderstorm swept through the region on Friday evening, significantly lowering temperatures and breaking the intensity of the ongoing heatwave.

The much-awaited downpour, accompanied by strong winds and thunderclaps, began in Abbottabad and quickly extended to other districts including Mansehra, Haripur, Battagram, Kohistan and Torghar.

While the rainfall caused temporary disruption in some areas due to brief power outages and blocked roads, the overall public response was overwhelmingly positive, as the change in weather brought long-awaited comfort and coolness.

In Abbottabad, dark clouds rolled in over the hills during the late afternoon, followed by steady rain that lasted for more than an hour. Temperatures, which had previously soared beyond 38°C, dropped by 8 to 10 degrees, providing immediate relief to schoolchildren, elderly citizens, and outdoor laborers who had been braving the sweltering heat.

Farmers across the region also welcomed the rain with optimism. The downpour is expected to revive standing crops and improve soil moisture after a prolonged dry spell. “This rain is a blessing,” said Ghulam Rasool, a farmer from the outskirts of Mansehra. “Our maize fields were drying up. Now, there’s hope for recovery.”

In Haripur, gusty winds preceded the rain, sweeping through urban and rural areas and causing light dust storms in some places. However, the rain that followed helped cleanse the atmosphere, washing away dust and freshening up the environment.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) had forecast light to moderate rain with isolated thunderstorms in upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including Hazara Division. Officials now expect further spells of rain to continue into the weekend, potentially improving weather conditions even more.

The refreshing weather has also led to a sharp increase in tourism across the region. With the oppressive heat subsiding, popular hill stations such as Nathiagali, Thandiani, Siri Paye, and Shogran have seen a notable influx of visitors. Families and tourists from different parts of the country have begun arriving in large numbers to enjoy the cool breeze, misty vistas, and the lush green surroundings brought back to life by the rain.

Local hotels and guesthouses have reported a surge in bookings, while roadside vendors and small businesses are witnessing a revival in activity. Tourists expressed their delight with the sudden weather shift. “We were hesitant to travel due to the heat, but now it feels like a perfect escape,” said a visitor from Islamabad staying in Nathiagali. “The rain has completely transformed the atmosphere it’s magical.”