Two brothers died while as many others were injured on Saturday after a landslide struck two vehicles in the Loter area of Upper Kohistan district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Hazara division, officials said.

Yesterday, link roads connecting dozens of villages to the Mansehra-Naran-Jalkhad Road and the Karakoram Highway (KKH) in Hazara remained blocked as snowfall and rain continued for the fourth consecutive day.

The incident took place earlier today on a road between Dasu and Raikot as an oil tanker and a poultry supplier truck fell into a ravine after landslide boulders hit them, Upper Kohistan Additional Assistant Commissioner (AAC) Khaib Gul confirmed to Dawn.com.

 Vehicle after it was struck by landslide in Upper Kohistan, KP on March 1, 2025. — Photo via author
Vehicle after it was struck by landslide in Upper Kohistan, KP on March 1, 2025. — Photo via author

The brothers were identified as Islamzada and Sahibzada, aged 32 and 33 years, respectively, according to a statement released by the Upper Kohistan District Headquarters Hospital.

It added that two others, 40-year-old Jahanzeb and 42-year-old Mohammad Niaz — both hailing from Abbotabad — were injured.

“The bodies of both brothers are unrecognisable as they came under the debris of the slide, and both are residents of the Batkot area Shangla’s Bisham tehsil,” Gul said.

He added that arrangements were being made at the hospital for the bodies to be shifted to their native towns.

The road had now been cleared for traffic, the additional assistant commissioner stated.

Speaking about the KKH, AAC Gul said that the road remained blocked at Lotar. However, he added, machines have been dispatched to the location to remove rubble and open it for traffic.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has predicted another spell of rain across the country as a westerly wave is likely to approach on March 2.

According to the PMD, there is a possibility of landslides/avalanches in hilly areas of KP, Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir during the period.

Hailstorm is also expected at isolated places in upper KP, upper Punjab /Islamabad, and Kashmir. It advised tourists and travellers visiting mountainous areas to remain cautious during the period.

Moderate to heavy snowfalls may cause road closure/slippery conditions in Murree, Galliyat, Naran, Kaghan, Chitral, Dir, Swat, Kohistan, Manshera, Abbottabad, Shangla, Astore, Hunza, Skardu, Neelum valley, Bagh, Poonch, Haveli during the forecast period, the PMD said.

Opinion

From hard to harder

From hard to harder

Instead of ‘hard state’ turning even harder, citizens deserve a state that goes soft on them in delivering democratic and development aspirations.

Editorial

Canal unrest
Updated 03 Apr, 2025

Canal unrest

With rising water scarcity in Indus system, it is crucial to move towards a consensus-driven policymaking process.
Iran-US tension
03 Apr, 2025

Iran-US tension

THE Trump administration’s threats aimed at Iran do not bode well for global peace, and unless Washington changes...
Flights to history
03 Apr, 2025

Flights to history

MOHENJODARO could have been the forgotten gold we desperately need. Instead, this 5,000-year-old well of antiquity ...
Eid amidst crises
Updated 31 Mar, 2025

Eid amidst crises

Until the Muslim world takes practical steps to end these atrocities, these besieged populations will see no joy.
Women’s rights
Updated 01 Apr, 2025

Women’s rights

Such judgements, and others directly impacting women’s rights should be given more airtime in media.
Not helping
Updated 02 Apr, 2025

Not helping

If it's committed to peace in Balochistan, the state must draw a line between militancy and legitimate protest.