Landslides block KKH, hundreds of passengers stranded

MANSEHRA: Landslides on Monday blocked the Karakoram Highway (KKH) at several places between upper Kohistan and Diamer district of Gilgit-Baltistan, which has left hundreds of passengers including tourists stranded.

According to the Dawn.com, Dasu Station House Officer (SHO) Noor Nabi Shah said that the KKH has blocked at several locations between upper Kohistan and the Diamer district.

He said that the blockage has caused traffic suspension and left hundreds of passengers stranded on both sides of the important road.

Read More: 50 Killed in landslides, floods across country

Meanwhile, National Highway Authority (NHA) Deputy Director for Shangla and Kohistan Ghulam Abbas said that the road was blocked at nine different points between Diamer and Kohistan.

He said that although the Frontier Works Organisation cleared the KKH of the landslide on Sunday, it blocked again on Monday.

“Efforts are being made to clear the rubble and debris caused by landslides,” he said adding that the authorities concerned will remove all rubble by 9-10 pm today to reopen the road for traffic.

According to the media reports, one of the stranded passengers, Samiullah, said that he has been waiting since 10 am for the road clearance. He said that the stranded passengers including tourists and families faced shortage of water due to lack of shops nearby.

Hafeez Mama, a local in upper Kohistan’s Shatial area, said that a minor girl was wounded, and houses were damaged due to flooding in Panibah.

Read More: Rain-related deaths rise to 133: NDMA

PDMA warning

Meanwhile, the KP Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) issued a warning about the continuation of monsoon rains, with a new spell expected to enter the province on Tuesday.

خیبرپختونخوا میں مون سون بارشوں رواں ہفتے جاری رہنےکاامکان

صوبےمیں بارشوں کی نئی ویو کل سے داخل ہونے کا امکان۔

گرج چمک کے ساتھ بارشوں اور تیز ہواؤں کےپیش نظر ضلعی انتظامیہ کو پیشگی اقدامات اٹھانے کی ہدایات۔

۔بالائی اضلاع میں لینڈ سلائیڈنگ اورفلیش فلڈنگ کا خدشہ۔ pic.twitter.com/ZQwvDnZLjO

— PDMAKP OFFICIAL (@PDMAKP) July 24, 2023

The authorities have issued directives to the district administration to take precautionary measures in the wake of the expected intense downpours, strong winds, with the possibility of urban and flash flooding and landslides in upper areas of the province.