Roads remain closed, electricity has been out for five days and authorities warn of landslides
Rawalpindi workers gather around a campfire to stay warm during the rainy weather while they wait for clients to hire them for daily wage work to support their families. Photo: ONLINE
BALAKOT:
Naran and Kaghan have experienced unprecedented snowfall, paralyzing daily life, blocking roads and cutting off electricity supply for the past five days, causing severe hardship to residents. The recent heavy snowfall has not only transformed the region into a picturesque winter landscape but has also created great challenges for local communities.
In and around Naran, snow has accumulated up to seven feet, while in Shogran, Kaghan and nearby upper valleys, snow depth has reached five feet. It has been several years since such intense snowfall has been seen, which has intensified the harsh winter conditions.
The prolonged power outage and disruption of communication networks have added to the woes of residents. Reports indicate downed power lines and poles due to heavy snowfall, making restoration efforts difficult.
Authorities, citing the risk of heavy snowfall and landslides, have closed Kaghan Road to traffic beyond Mahandri. Similarly, roads leading to the popular tourist destination Shogran have been temporarily closed to avoid possible accidents.
According to the Meteorological Department, rain and snowfall are expected to continue today. Authorities have advised tourists and locals to avoid unnecessary travel and refrain from visiting high areas until weather conditions improve.
A new wave of rain and snow freezes life in Battagram
A fresh wave of heavy snowfall hit Battagram district and adjoining areas of Chhatar Plain, Alaai and Shangla last night and continued till Tuesday night.
The lives of citizens were severely affected as the plains were covered by four feet of snow, while roads in the upper mountainous areas were also blocked by two feet of snow. A large number of citizens, including traders from Battagram, Torghar, Kohistan and Alaai, were stranded in Shangla Top.
All connecting roads have been closed in Battagram and different parts of Alaai, causing residents to fear food shortages in the area. The Karakoram Expressway and Battagram to Achhariyan Expressway (CPEC) were also closed to traffic at Neeli Shang, Sharkol and Chhatar.
Power in the area has been completely out for the past five days and there have been reports of further damage to power transmission lines due to continued snowfall. The intensity of the cold has increased and the temperature has dropped below freezing, reaching up to negative four degrees Celsius.
Following instructions from Battagram Deputy Commissioner Ishtiaq Khan, relief teams were mobilized early in the morning. Additional Deputy Commissioners Deputy Commissioner Salim Khan and Additional Deputy Commissioners were supervising the relief activities. Crews in different locations are still busy removing snow from roads and highways.
People in the district are effectively on lockdown as they remain stuck in their homes waiting for the snow to come down. According to the Meteorological Department, the series of rain and snowfall is likely to end at some point in the night.
