Rain, snow: Eid travellers left stranded in G-B

GILGIT: Heavy rain and snow across Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) have caused widespread disruption, severing land communication and stranding travellers.

Major roads connecting the region with other parts of the country, including the Karakoram Highway (KKH), Shahrah-e-Baltistan, and the Astore Valley Road, have been blocked due to avalanches and landslides.

Astore has been particularly hard-hit, with rain and snowfall continuing for over three days. According to the Astore District Administration, the Astore Valley Road has been blocked at Kicham village after an avalanche struck the area on Thursday.

“The connection between Astore and other cities is temporarily closed due to the avalanche. Machinery from the Disaster Management Authority has been mobilised for clearance. However, continuous rain on the Astore Valley Road raises concerns of further landslides and falling stones,” the district administration said in a statement.

Officials have also warned of the risk of avalanches on roads in the upper areas. Travellers are advised to avoid using the Astore Valley Road until weather conditions improve to prevent any loss of life.

Meanwhile, the Mer Malik Road in the upper areas of Astore district remains completely blocked due to heavy snowfall and avalanches that occurred earlier this month.

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Assistant Commissioner Shounter, Tanveer Ahmad, said road clearance operations have been ongoing without interruption for the past week. As a result, traffic has been restored up to the outskirts of Phuphin village. Heavy machinery from the Works Department remains deployed at the site.

However, due to worsening weather conditions and fresh snow and rain, clearance efforts have been temporarily halted in G-B. Authorities have assured that as soon as the weather improves, the road-clearing operation will resume.

Power supply disruptions have been reported in Astore due to short circuits in transmission and distribution lines, as well as falling rocks blocking water channels at powerhouses. As a result, the water supply to powerhouses has been halted, causing difficulties in delivering electricity to consumers.

Authorities have advised residents of upper and snow-affected areas to arrange alternative lighting sources during this period. As soon as the weather clears, efforts to restore electricity in forward areas will begin.

A large number of passengers travelling to their hometowns for Eid were left stranded as the Karakoram Highway (KKH) was blocked at multiple locations due to heavy rains and landslides in Kohistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Long queues of cars, passenger coaches, and trucks have formed on both sides of the KKH.

According to Diamer Police, the highway is impassable at several points, including Lotar, Barsin, and Harban within the jurisdiction of Upper Kohistan. While, the Chilas-Gilgit section of the KKH also remains blocked at multiple locations including Moladad Padi, Gandulo, and Tata Pani due to landslides triggered by continuous rainfall.

Meanwhile, the Shahrah-e-Baltistan (Jaglot-Skardu Road) was also blocked due to landslides at Malopa and Tariku. Authorities have successfully reopened the route for all types of traffic. However, due to unstable weather conditions, travelers are advised to proceed with caution. Skardu Police have urged commuters to remain vigilant and travel safely.