GILGIT: A number of major routes, notably the Baltistan Road and the Karakoram Highway, have been shut by landslides brought on by the region’s sporadic rain and snowfall.
Roadblocks caused by below-freezing temperatures and power outages have stranded thousands of people traveling to and from Gilgit-Baltistan.
According to officials, Monday morning’s precipitation started in lower places and lasted into the evening, resulting in snowfall in higher areas.
The Karakoram Highway was closed at several points due to landslides, particularly Achar Nallah in Kohistan and the Thore area where rain-caused rockfall occurred.
Both sides are home to thousands of trapped individuals, including women, seniors, and children.
Thousands of passengers are impacted by the hundreds of cars that are stalled at Achar Nallah in Kohistan on both ends of the Karakoram Highway, according to a local source who spoke with Dawn. Similarly, thousands of travelers traveling to and from Baltistan were stranded as heavy snowfall obstructed Baltistan Road at several spots in the Roundu district of Skardu.
In the Bargho area, landslides also obstructed the Ghizer-Shandur Road, cutting off connection routes in higher elevations and inter-district roadways. Following the snowstorm, temperatures in the higher regions dipped below minus six and the roads turned slick, making travel difficult.
Three to six inches of snow fell on the higher regions of Ghizer, Hunza, Nagar, Skardu, Shigar, Kharmang, Astore, and Ghanche. Rescue 1122 reports that a car on Baltistan Road near Bagcha village in Roundu was struck by a rockfall. Luckily, all four occupants were unharmed, albeit the vehicle sustained minor damage.
On Monday, flights between Skardu and Gilgit and Islamabad were again canceled. There were disruptions to internet, cellphone, and electricity connectivity in numerous parts of the region.
In order to prepare for the anticipated situation brought on by heavy rain and snowfall, Chief Minister Gilgit-Baltistan Haji Gulbar Khan issued instructions to the GB Disaster Management Authority (GBDMA), all division commissioners, deputy commissioners, and administrative officers in every district, according to a statement. He gave them instructions to maintain all equipment prepared for repairing roads and saving lives throughout Gilgit-Baltistan.
In addition, the chief minister gave all relevant authorities the order to counsel citizens against making needless travel plans in light of the anticipated snowfall and rain.
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 told by the deputy commissioners to stay vigilant in case of emergencies.
SOURCE: DAWN NEWS
