Tourists stranded as landslides block Karakoram Highway

Heavy rain and snowfall continued to compound public’s woes in Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan on Tuesday causing landslides that blocked major roads with relief and rescue operations were set into motion in the affected areas, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

Intermittent rain and snowfall disrupted life in Gilgit-Baltistan, causing blockage of major roads, including the Karakoram Highway and Baltistan Road at multiple locations.

Thousands of tourists and passengers travelling to and from Gilgit-Baltistan were stranded as landslides blocked the Karakoram Highway with temperatures dropped below zero and electricity remained suspended.

Landslides blocked the Karakoram Highway at Achar Nallah in Kohistan and the Thore area after snowfall triggered by rain.

Similarly, heavy snowfall blocked Baltistan Road at Roundu area of Skardu, leaving thousands of passengers travelling to and from Baltistan stuck. Landslides also blocked the Ghizer-Shandur Road in the Bargho area, causing link roads in upper areas and inter-district roads to remain disconnected.

Chief Minister Gilgit-Baltistan Haji Gulbar Khan issued instructions to GB Disaster Management Authority (GBDMA), all divisional commissioners, deputy commissioners, and administrative officers in all districts to deal with the expected situation due to heavy rains and snowfall.

The upper areas of Ghizer, Hunza, Nagar, Skardu, Shigar, Khar­mang, Astore, and Ghanche received three to six inches of snowfall. According to Rescue 1122, a rockfall hit a car on Baltistan Road near Bagcha village of Roundu, fortunately, four passengers onboard remained safe with minor injuries, while the car was damaged.

Flights between Islamabad and Skardu and Gilgit were also suspended on Monday. Electricity, mobile, and internet connectivity were disrupted in many areas of the region. Thousands of passengers, including children, women, and senior citizens, are stranded on both sides.

Rain and snowfall also continued in Abbottabad city as upto 3 feet of snow had fallen in the area resulting in closure of roads.  Heavy machinery was operating there to open Abbottabad Murree Road as big trees fell on Murree road due to snowfall. People were complaining shortage of drinking water, suspension of electricity and mobile service in Abbottabad.

The heaviest snowfall was reported in Dir Bala’s Kumrat Kalkot area. Rain continued in Bara, Jamrud, Landi Kotal and Tirah Valley areas of Khyber. The rain and snowfall was reported in Chitral, Diamir area of Gilgit Baltistan, causing problems for residents.

Rain and snowfall was also affecting various tourist destinations including Galyat, Thandyani, Shogran, Kaghan, and Naran.

According to the locals, Thandyani, Nathiagali, Ayubia, Dongagali in district Abbottabad, and Shogran in district Mansehra accumulated up to four inches of snow, while in Naran snowfall exceeding ten inches.

Met office said rain-wind/thunderstorm (snowfall over mountain) will continue in various areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, Kashmir, north Balochistan, Murree, Galliyat and upper/central Punjab for the next 24 hours.

The heavy rain and snowfall continues in Neelum valley, Bagh, Poonch and Havelian regions of Azad Kashmir.

Moderate to heavy rain-wind/thunderstorm (snowfall over the hills) was reported in Chitral, Dir, Swat, Abbottabad, Mansehra, Haripur, Kohistan, Shangla, Buner, Karak, Khyber, Peshawar, Charsadda, Nowshera, Swabi, Buner, Bajaur, Kurram, Waziristan, Kohat and Bannu which was expected to continue during next 24 hours with occasional gaps.

Rain-wind/thunderstorm was also reported in Balochistan’s areas including Quetta, Ziarat, Chaman, Pishin, Qila Abdullah, Qila Saifullah, Zhob, and nearby areas.

The Met office forecasts increased rainfall, isolated hailstorms, and mountain snowfall in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and various other parts of Pakistan from Monday evening/night through Tuesday. Amid heavy rain Islamabad was expected to have minimum temperatures ranging from 10 to 12 degrees Celsius on Tuesday, while on Wednesday, temperatures may range between 9 and 11 degrees Celsius.

Rawalpindi was expected to have minimum temperatures of 10–12 °C on Tuesday and 9–11 °C on Wednesday.

During the next 24 hours, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Kashmir, Islamabad, upper and south Punjab, northern Balochistan, and Gilgit Baltistan will experience rain, accompanied by wind, thunderstorms, and snowfall in hilly areas.

In Kashmir rain and snowfall was reported in Rawalakot, Muzaffarabad Garhi Dupatta and Kotli. In Punjab rain was expected in Rawalpindi, Chakwal, Mangla, Jhelum, Attock, Islamabad, Sialkot, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Faisalabad, Joharabad, Sheikhupura region also experience rain.

In Lahore city, weather was reported to remain cloudy with gusty winds and low chances of rain. Temperature of Lahore city was recorded 13 degree celsius on Tuesday morning. The provincial capital remained at 4th position in global air quality index.

Reporters Fatima Khan, Zubair Awan, Farooq Ahmed, Jahangzeb Afridi, Umer Khitab