On Wednesday, passengers travelling between Gilgit-Baltistan and Islamabad faced severe disruptions as heavy rains and landslides blocked the Karakoram Highway (KKH) at multiple locations in Kohistan.
Inclement weather, including continuous snowfall across the northern regions of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan, has paralyzed daily life and covered the landscape in a thick blanket of snow.
Raja Ashfaq Tahir, a spokesperson for the Diamer police, reported to Dawn.com that the KKH was obstructed at two critical points between Dasu and Diamer, causing significant delays for travellers. Efforts to clear these blockages were underway, with the Bhasha to Raikot section recently reopened after being cleared of debris from a prior landslide.
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In Dasu, Upper Kohistan, Additional Deputy Commissioner Khuram Rehman Jadoon took action against a hotel owner for exploiting the situation by overcharging stranded passengers. The local administration has warned hoteliers against such practices, emphasizing that swift legal actions will be enforced to protect travellers.
The continuous precipitation has complicated debris removal efforts, making it challenging to clear the highway promptly. Despite these difficulties, authorities remain hopeful that the road will be reopened by the evening. Over 200 families have found temporary shelter in the Dasu Rural Health Centre while waiting for the road to clear.
The situation remains precarious as new landslides, such as one in Diamer’s Hodar area, continue to affect the highway. Machinery has been deployed urgently to clear the debris and restore access. Furthermore, Shangla Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Fawad Khan has advised against travel on the Bisham-Swat Road following a collapse due to heavy snowfall that resulted in a vehicle accident and injury.
