Spell of rain: Landslides block main roads in AJK

Upper areas of Neelum, Leepa valleys receive snowfall

MUZAFFARABAD: The main roads of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) were blocked by the land sliding and boulders after heavy rainfall in the Rawalakot and Muzaffarabad divisions.

The upper areas of Neelum and Leepa Valley received fresh snow brining the mercury down in the hilly areas.

According to the police, the main road linking the capital city of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) with Islamabad was blocked by landing sliding and rolling boulders near Kohala and was closed for every kind of vehicular traffic.

Continuous rainfall and land sliding in the region blocked Jehlum Valley, Kohala, Lohar Gali, Mahmood Gali, Azad Pattan and Upper Neelum Valley roads at different places. The Works and Communication Department of AJK has deployed staff, along with machines, to clear the debris and boulders from the blocked roads to ensure timely resumption of the traffic in the rain-hit areas.

Another main road of Rawalakot connecting the area with Rawalpindi was closed after rocks fell on it at three different spots in Goinalay.

The Met office here on Sunday said that there will be decrease in showers across the AJK from Monday night however, it predicts another spell of rain from March 16 for three to four days.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 15^th, 2016.