Two brothers killed in Kohistan landslide

GILGIT: Two brothers were killed and two others injured when a heavy landslide struck two vehicles on the Karakoram Highway in Lootar area of Upper Kohistan district on Saturday.

An official of Rescue 1122 told HUM News English via telephone that an oil tanker and a pickup truck were on their way back towards Dassu from Gilgit-Baltistan when the landslide triggered by rain hit them near Looter area in Kohistan district.

He said the driver of the oil tanker and his assistant died on the spot, while two people traveling in the pickup truck were injured.

The deceased were identified as 34-year-old Sahibzada and 33-year-old Islamzada from Besham. Both were brothers. The bodies of the deceased and the injured individuals were shifted to District Headquarters Hospital, Dassu.

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He said the driver of the oil tanker and his assistant died on the spot while two people from the pickup truck got injured. The deceased were identified as Sahibzada 34, and Islamzada 33 from Besham. The deceased were brothers. The deceased and injured were shifted to the District Headquarters Hospital, Dasu.

The landslide once again blocked the Karakoram Highway. The road had only been reopened for one-way traffic on Friday after a two-day closure.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) predicted that a westerly wave is likely to approach western parts of the country on 02nd March. It said under the influence of this weather system, rain accompanied by wind and thunderstorms, along with snowfall over the hills, is expected in Punjab, Islamabad, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Kashmir.

The PMD said moderate to few heavy snowfalls may cause road closure and slippery conditions in Murree, Galliyat, Naran, Kaghan, Chitral, Dir, Swat, Kohistan, Manshera, Abbottabad, Shangla, Astore, Hunza, Skardu, Neelum valley, Bagh, Poonch, Haveli during the forecasted period.

It also predicted possibility of the landslides and avalanches in hilly areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir during the period. The Met Office advised tourists and travelers visiting mountainous areas to remain cautious during the period. The PMD also advised concerned authorities to remain alert and take necessary measures to avoid any untoward situation, particularly in hilly areas of the country.