Over a foot of snowfall is closing roads, stranding residents and disrupting communications
Mountain areas from Galiyat to Gilgit-Baltistan have witnessed fresh snowfall. PHOTOS: SHABBIR MIR & MOHAMMAD SADAQAT/EXPRESS
ABBOTTABAD:
More than a foot of snowfall covered the Galiyat region, including Nathia Gali and Thandiani on Wednesday, disrupting road links and paralyzing communication networks.
The district administration advised residents and tourists to avoid unnecessary travel to Galiyat and Thandiani.
Continuous rainfall in the city has further intensified the cold. Since late last night, intermittent heavy snowfall of more than one foot has been recorded in Galiyat, Nathia Gali, Ayubia, Miranjani and the mountainous areas of Thandiani covering mountains, trees, roads, paths and residential and commercial areas in thick snow.
Machinery of the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Highways Department is busy clearing snow from Murree Road, even as the ongoing snowfall hampers operations. Salt is also spread to reduce slippage.
Due to the risk of landslides after 5 p.m., the Barrian-Nathia Gali road has been closed to traffic. Vehicles are only allowed to pass under strict security measures due to dangerous road conditions. According to sources, Abbottabad-Nathia Gali Murree Road has been closed for tourists while local residents are being let through after identification.
Snow accumulation in Nathia Gali and Thandiani has reached between one and one and a half feet. All connecting roads in Galiyat and Thandiani remain closed, leaving residents confined to their areas. The communication network has been severely disrupted and several locations are reportedly without power.
Many connecting roads in neighboring areas were yet to be fully restored after the previous snowfall, as the latest snowfall further aggravated the residents’ hardships.
Earlier, the Communications and Works Department (C&W), Galiyat Development Authority (GDA) and the KITE project had drawn criticism as several days passed without complete restoration of connecting roads.
The district administration stated that machines from C&W, GDA and the KITE project are actively engaged in road clearing operations. However, questions remain as to how link roads can be cleared when even the main Murree and Thandiani roads are yet to be fully restored.
Emergency telephone numbers have been issued and citizens and tourists have again been urged to avoid unnecessary travel. Reports of people stranded in Nathia Gali, Ayubia have also been received.
