GILGIT: Due to significant snowfall in Gilgit-Baltistan, the Baltistan Road remained closed for the third day in a row on Tuesday, but a portion of the Karakoram Highway (KKH) was reopened for traffic, according to an official source.
Officials told Dawn that one-way traffic has been allowed on the Gilgit-Chilas portion of KKH in order to reestablish the region’s road link with other areas of the nation.
After a lot of rain and snow, landslides forced the closure of the roadways. Thousands of people were left stuck due to falling boulders and inches of snow at several sites.
Dawn was informed by a Skardu district administration official that numerous landslides prevented the reopening of the Baltistan Road.
He stated that clearing work was being done at the highway and that traffic will shortly resume. Residents claimed that the delayed progress of the road’s reopening was making life more difficult for them on a daily basis.
Baltistan Road remains closed after three days; authorities confirm no casualties but significant damage in the area
Safdar Khan, the secretary of the Public Works Department, said Dawn that all inter-district and other connecting roads are now operational.
They added that because Baltistan Road, a lifeline for those living in the Baltistan division, is closed, thousands of people from all across Great Britain are stuck at various locations.
He claimed that equipment had been mobilized throughout the area and that the weather was getting better.
Mr Khan claims that no significant casualties or damage have been recorded from any part of Great Britain.
“Control rooms have been created in all regions to monitor the situation, and all line department employees are ready to cope with any critical situation,” he said.
A car was struck by a rockfall on Baltistan Road, close to Bagcha village in Roundu, on Monday. Despite the automobile being destroyed, the four persons on board were fortunately unharmed.
Along with the suspension of flights, there were problems with the electrical supply, cell and internet access, and the Gilgit, Skardu, and Islamabad regions.
The Disaster Management Authority for the area, together with all divisional commissioners, deputy commissioners, and administrative authorities, have received orders from Haji Gulbar Khan, the chief minister of GB, to be ready for significant precipitation and snowfall. He gave them instructions to maintain all equipment prepared for repairing roads and saving lives throughout Gilgit-Baltistan.
Following extended periods of dry weather, snow and rain have begun to fall in GB.
The British government released a weather advisory for February 19–27, indicating significant snowfall and rains. The departments have also been instructed by deputy commissioners to maintain vigilance in case of emergencies.
SOURCE: DAWN NEWS
