Landslides block Karakoram Highway after heavy rain disrupts region

Landslides have blocked main roads, including the Karakoram Highway and Baltistan Road at various points including Achar Nallah in Kohistan and the Thore area. Thousands of passengers, including children, women, and senior citizens, were stranded on both sides after rocks fell due to rainfall.

Heavy snowfall blocked Baltistan Road at multiple locations in the Roundu District of Skardu, leaving thousands of passengers stuck. Landslides also blocked the Ghizer-Shandur Road in the Bargho area.

Intermittent snowfall and rainfall have made temperatures fall below zero and power has been cut off in the Giligt-Baltistan region. As a result of the snowfall, the upper area of Gligit-Baltistan roads became slippery, causing travel difficulties, and temperatures fell below minus six degrees.

READ MORE: Rain forecast in Gilgit-Baltistan and Sindh

On Monday, flight operations between Islam­abad to Skardu and Gilgit were also halted. Connectivity issues with electricity, mobile devices, and the internet affected large portions of the region.

Three to six inches of snow fell in the upper regions of Ghizer, Hunza, Nagar, Skardu, Shigar, Khar­mang, Astore, and Ghanche. According to Rescue officials, a rockfall struck a vehicle on Baltistan Road near the Bagcha village of Roundu. Fortunately, all four passengers were unharmed, receiving minor injuries.

Chief Minister Gilgit–Baltistan, Haji Gul­bar Khan has issued directives to the GB Disaster Management Authority (GBDMA), divisional commissioners, deputy commissioners, and administrative officers across all districts regarding the management of the anticipated situation resulting from heavy snowfall and precipitation, according to a statement.

Throughout Gilgit-Baltistan, he instructed them to maintain all equipment in a state of readiness for road rehabilitation and human life assistance.