Karakoram Highway, roads in KP, GB blocked due to landslides and harsh weather

Published January 13, 2020
Life in Galiyat, Abbottabad come to a halt as snowfall continues. — Dawn/File
Life in Galiyat, Abbottabad come to a halt as snowfall continues. — Dawn/File

A landslide near Dasu, Kohistan caused authorities to block the Karakoram Highway for all kinds of traffic on Monday, Radio Pakistan reported.

The Astore Valley Road was also blocked in Dashki. Gilgit Baltistan Disaster Management Authority Director General Fareeh Ahmed also advised residents to avoid unnecessary travel, Radio Pakistan said.

Meanwhile, in Galiyat and Abbottabad life was disrupted due to harsh weather and heavy snowfall, which, according to predictions by the Met Department, will continue. Several feet snow blocked roads leading to and out of the areas and the Galiyat Development Authority advised tourists not to travel to Nathiagali, Dunga Gali, Changla Gali, Ayubia and Thandiyani until the roads have cleared up.

At least 30 villages, including Namli Mera, Keri Raieky, Kala Bagh, Ziarat Masoom, Bakot, Phalkot, Bagan, Ayubia, Jsatar, are completely disconnected from Nathiagali due to the weather.

The local police have been directed to remain on high alert and assist tourists that are already in the weather-affected areas.

The road leading from Abbottabad to Nathiagali has been completely closed off for all sorts of traffic from Bagnoter onward and Abbottabad-Thandiyani road has been blocked from Kala Pani.

Yesterday, heavy snowfall and showers claimed at least 14 lives in different parts of Balochistan and suspended road and air links of the country’s largest province with rest of the world, as an unusually extreme weather system entered Pakistan.

With a strong westerly wave affecting most parts of the country, Met Office had forecast snowfall in Khyber Pakh­tunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir. Heavy showers have also been forecast for Islamabad as well as upper and central Punjab from Monday till Tuesday morning, according to the meteorological department.

Opinion

Editorial

Kurram ceasefire
Updated 26 Nov, 2024

Kurram ceasefire

DESPITE efforts by the KP government to bring about a ceasefire in Kurram tribal district, the bloodletting has...
Hollow victory
26 Nov, 2024

Hollow victory

THE conclusion of COP29 in Baku has left developing nations — struggling with the mounting costs of climate...
Infrastructure schemes
26 Nov, 2024

Infrastructure schemes

THE government’s decision to finance priority PSDP schemes on a three-year rolling basis is a significant step...
Anti-women state
Updated 25 Nov, 2024

Anti-women state

GLOBALLY, women are tormented by the worst tools of exploitation: rape, sexual abuse, GBV, IPV, and more are among...
IT sector concerns
25 Nov, 2024

IT sector concerns

PRIME Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s ambitious plan to increase Pakistan’s IT exports from $3.2bn to $25bn in the ...
Israel’s war crimes
25 Nov, 2024

Israel’s war crimes

WHILE some powerful states are shielding Israel from censure, the court of global opinion is quite clear: there is...