MANSEHRA: The upper parts of Hazara division continued to receive snowfall for the second consecutive day on Monday.

The snowfall, which started in mountainous parts of the division the other day, continued intermittently for the entire day and turned the weather chilly.

The roads leading to Shogran, Konsh, Siren, Kaghan, Kandia and Spat valleys remained blocked on the second day because of the snowfall and landslide.

“Although the roads leading to Shogran are closed because of being slippery and dangerous, yet tourists reach the area on foot to enjoy the snowy weather,” Mohammad Ali, a tourist, said.

Landslides block roads in upper parts of Hazara

He said that four-wheeler jeeps were also stuck on Shogran road because of the heavy snow. The plains of Mansehra, Torghar, Kolai-Palas, Upper and Lower Kohistan districts also received rain on the second consecutive day.

In Abbottabad, two to three feet snow was reported in Thandiyani, Nathiagali, Donga Gali, Changla Gali, Ayubia and other hilly areas of the district.

Owing to the hectic efforts of Galiyat Development Authority officials, Abbottabad-Muree road was cleared for all sorts of traffic, said Ahsan Hameed, the spokesperson for GDA.

However, strict advisory was issued for tourists by GDA to avoid travelling after sunset and early in the morning in Galiyat because frost could cause fatal road accident. The tourists and local drivers were also asked to use chains while traveling on snow-covered roads.

GDA with the help of local tourism police has established facilitation centres at different points to guide and help local people as well as tourists.

Meanwhile, Abbottabad-Thandiyani road was completely closed from Kala Pani. The residents of the area have demanded of the local administration to make efforts for early removal of snow from the roads.

In Shangla, hilly areas received snowfall for the second consecutive day on Monday turning the weather chilly.

The snowfall started on Saturday night in upper parts of the district including Ajmeer, Speen Ghar, Gamtal, Ghorband tops, Shangla Top, Kandaw, Bahadar Sar and Yakhtangay and continued till filing of this report.

Similarly, the district headquarters Alpuri, Bisham city, Puran, Chakesar, Martung, Shahpur, Karora, Dandai and Puran received rain on the second consecutive day. The snowfall and rain turned the weather chilly and forced the people to remain indoors.

Published in Dawn, December 28th, 2021