A landslide at N-50 National Highway has resulted in the complete suspension of traffic between Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). Fortunately, no loss of life has been reported.
The National Highway Authority (NHA) has reported that a large part of the KP and Balochistan border has caved in due to the landslide. However, seven people were injured at Balochistan’s Dhana Sar, and four vehicles were damaged.
The NHA’s General Manager, Agha Inayatullah, has stated that the priority is to evacuate those stranded at the site. A rescue operation is underway to remove the debris with the help of heavy machinery. The commissioner and deputy commissioners of Zhob and Kila Saifullah have been requested to stop the traffic. Transporters are directed to use N-70 Loralai DG Khan Highway to travel to KP.
Inayatullah further stated that it might take around 30 hours to restore the highway as approximately 200 vehicles are stuck. “A whole mountain fell on the road, and there are large rocks,” he added. More machinery is being brought from Quetta to Dhana Sar for road clearance.
The NHA has reported that the rescue operation at the site is facing difficulties due to continuous traffic. They have sought assistance from the Zhob and Loralai’s civil administration to stop traffic. The rescue officials have also noted that the stormy weather is intensifying at the fault site in the Sulaiman Mountains. They added that the non-cooperation of the KP administration in assisting the passengers raises alarms.
