MANSEHRA: Water level has reduced in rivers passing through upper parts of Hazara due to the prolonged dry spell.

Until now this winter, the region has seen little rainfall with experts blaming it on changes in climatic conditions.

Currently, upper parts of Hazara are witnessing the severest cold wave in two decades reducing showers and their duration.

Normally, water flow in the local River Siren is high throughout the year. And it considerably increases during the winter season causing erosion in some areas.

However, water flow is very low in the river.

`Rocks and stones in the River Siren are now visible due to lack of water showing there`s low rainfall until now this season,` said local resident Younas Khan while shoveling sand on the riverbed.

He said rainfall in the region was very limited causing water flow in the winter to further drop.

MrYounas said water flowing at a pace threw sand on the riverbed in large quantity but that was no more happening due to lesser showers this time around.

`You can see bare riverbed as there`s little water in the river,` hesaid.

Meteorologist Rashid Bilal said the Met Office had prepared a report on the current and previous weather conditions in the country, including the average rainfall between1961and2010.

He said last year, the average rainfall in the country, includingHazara, was 74 millimeters, which had dropped to 45 millimeters.

The meteorologist said when there`s dry spell, there would be severe cold wave.

`The northern parts of country, including Hazara, are in the grip of severe cold. If such a weather condition persists, the current coldwave will get severer,` he said.

Mr Rashid said as currently, snow on the mountains was not melting, river inflows were low.

He said according to the Met Office report, snowfall would increase from 10 to 15 per cent this winter season compared to the last ones.