Director Metrological Department Muhammad Hanif on Thursday said that rain and light snowfall in hilly areas are likely to continue till Saturday.

He said that rain with thunderstorm and light snowfall over the hills were likely in Malakand, Hazara, Rawalpindi divisions, Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan.While cold will intensify across the country during next 24 hours, he added.

He said mostly Partly Cloudy weather is expected in most parts of Kashmir, however rain with thunderstorm coupled with light snowfall over the hills is likely at a few places of Kashmir during next 24 hours.To a question, he said that the areas of Murree and Galiyat will receive approximately one foot snowfall during next 24-36 hours.

Hanif said that these rains were beneficial for wheat crop and will also subside the seasonal diseases like cold flu, sore throat etc. in the country.He said the Coastal areas of Balochistan will also receive light to moderate rains during next 24 hours.

Chances of light rain for Punjab and the Northwestern upper parts and snowfall over hills existed during next 24 hours, he added.He said mostly partly cloudy weather is also expected in most parts of GB, however light rain with thunderstorm coupled with light snowfall over the hills is likely at a few places in the area during next 24 hours.

On Thursday, different parts of the country including Islamabad and Rawalpindi received heavy rain which increased the intensity of cold. Snowfall over the hills was also reported on Thursday.There were also reports of snowfall in Kalaam‚ Malam Jabba Murree and Galiyat. This spell of snowfall is expected to continue till Saturday.

Intensity of cold will further increase in upper and central parts of the country during the next two days.The mountains surrounding valley of Quetta also received snowfall at night between Wednesday and Thursday after heavy rain lashed the city all night.The mountains surrounding Quetta valley including Koh Chiltan, Koh Zarghoon, Koh Takato and Koh Murdar received snowfall.