A very cold weather gripped the country's upper and mountainous region as temperature Kalam and Skardu shuddered with minus 9 degrees Celsius in the last 24 hours, the Met Office said on Saturday. A very cold weather prevailed over the northern areas of the country while other parts witnessed a frosting and dry conditions in the last 24 hours. Mercury level dropped to minus 8 degrees Celsius in Astore, minus 7 in Gupis, minus 6 in Quetta and Hunza, minus 5 in Kalat, minus 4, each, in Bagrote and Dir, minus 3 in Malamjabba.

In the next 24 hours: Mainly very cold and dry weather is expected in the northern areas with a frosting in other parts of the country. Shallow fog is likely to prevail in few central and southern parts of Punjab. "Continental air is likely to prevail over most parts of the country during next few days," it said.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2018