Mercury dropping: Rain causes landslides in Azad Kashmir, G-B

MIRPUR/ GILGIT:

Heavy rain on Sunday triggered landslides across Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and Gilgit-Balistan (G-B). Muzaffarabad, the capital of AJK, received 31 millimetres (mm) of rain, while Rawalakot received 48 mm.

Temperatures in Gilgit plummeted down to zero degrees Celsius. The rains also caused landslides in various areas of G-B and AJK, disrupting road links.

“We have got reports from our offices that heavy boulders have fallen on roads to Chilas and Hunza,” said Mian Abbas, a transporter in Gilgit. The highways connecting Gilgit with Skardu, Hunza, Astore and Chilas were either partially or fully blocked by land sliding.

Pakistan International Airlines suspended flights to Gilgit and Skardu citing the inclement weather conditions. Dozens of passengers were left stranded at Skardu and Gilgit.

The current spell of rain will continue over the next four days, according to weather forecast. Intermittent rain with thunderstorm and gusty winds is expected at scattered places of the region during the next 24 hours.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 18^th,  2011.