Roads remain closed, electricity out for five days and authorities warn of landslides
Workers in Rawalpindi gather around a fire to keep warm in rainy weather as they wait for clients to hire them for daily wage labor to support their families. Photo: ONLINE
BALAKOT:
Naran and Kaghan have experienced record snowfall, paralyzing daily life, blocking roads and cut electricity for the past five days, causing severe hardship to residents. The recent heavy snowfall has not only transformed the region into a picturesque winter landscape, but also created major challenges for the local communities.
In Naran and surrounding areas, snow has accumulated up to seven feet, while snow depths in Shogran, Kaghan and nearby upper valleys have reached five feet. Such heavy snowfall has not been seen for several years and has reinforced the harsh winter conditions.
The prolonged power outage and disconnection of communication networks have added to the problems of the residents. Reports indicate downed power lines and poles due to the heavy snow, making restoration work difficult.
Citing the risk of heavy snowfall and landslides, the authorities have closed Kaghan Road beyond Mahandri to all traffic. Similarly, roads leading to the popular tourist destination of Shogran have been temporarily closed to prevent potential accidents.
According to the Meteorological Department, precipitation and snowfall are expected to continue today. Authorities have advised tourists and locals to avoid unnecessary travel and refrain from visiting the upper reaches until weather conditions improve.
Fresh wave of rain, snow freezes life in Battagram
A fresh wave of heavy snowfall hit Battagram district and adjoining areas of Chhatar Plain, Alaai and Shangla last night, and continued till Tuesday evening.
Citizens’ lives were badly affected, as the plains were covered under four meters of snow, while routes in the upper mountain areas were also blocked by two meters of snow. A large number of citizens including shopkeepers from Battagram, Torghar, Kohistan and Alaai were stranded at Shangla Top.
All connecting roads have been closed in Battagram and various parts of Alaai, leading residents to fear food shortages in the area. The Karakoram Highway and Expressway (CPEC) from Battagram to Achhariyan has also been closed to traffic at Neeli Shang, Sharkol and Chhatar.
Electricity in the area has been completely out for the past five days and there have been reports of further damage to power transmission lines due to continued snowfall. The intensity of the cold has increased and the temperature has dropped below freezing, reaching as low as minus four degrees Celsius.
Following instructions from Battagram Deputy Commissioner Ishtiaq Khan, emergency teams were mobilized early in the morning. Additional Deputy Commissioners, Assistant Commissioner Salim Khan and Additional Assistant Commissioners themselves supervised the relief activities. Crews at various locations are still busy clearing snow from the roads and highway.
People in the district are effectively shut down as they are trapped in their homes waiting for the snow to settle. According to the Meteorological Department, the streak of rain and snow is likely to stop sometime late at night.
