ISLAMABAD, Oct 25 (DNA): The downpour in Islamabad and Rawalpindi has paralyzed flight operations at Benazir Bhutto International Airport resulting in cancelation of as many as 17 flights both domestic and international.According to details, thousands of passengers are stuck in Islamabad because of cancelation of flights due to weather related circumstances.Reportedly, the heavy rain reduced the visibility to extremely below the required level. At least 12 more flights are facing delay because of this reason.

The cancelled flights include at least 8 domestic while 1 international flights. These include PK 605 enroute to Gilgit, PK 451 to Skardu, PK 660 to Chitral, PK 363 to Quetta, PK 689 to Zhob, whereas PK 373 and PK 201 were bound for Karachi.

The bad weather prompted cancellation of at least 8 flights as well. The domestic flights include PK 380 coming from Multan, PK 606 from Gilgit, PK 200 from Karachi, PK 608 from Gilgit, PK 452 from Skardu, PK 661 from Chitral while PK 688 was inbound from Karachi.

A private airline’s flight 347 coming from Muscat was also canceled.

Intermittent rain is continuing in different parts of the country including Islamabad and Rawalpindi, which has turned the weather cold.

Chief Meteorologist Dr Muhammad Hanif said intermittent rain will continue on Monday in upper parts of the country.

He said there are reports of snowfall in Naran, Kaghan and Gilgit Baltistan. He said snowfall in Gilgit, Hunza, Skardu, Ghanche and Chitral is also expected in the night.

He said there is possibility of landsliding in different parts of Kashmir and Hazara.

Dr Hanif said the winter season has formally set in and it is expected that winter season will be longer this time. DNA