Heavy snowfall paralyses life in Abbottabad, Galyat

Temperatures plunge to below freezing point

A new spell of snowfall on Saturday pummelled the upper parts of the Hazara division, dumping up to two feet of snow in Abbottabad city and up to three feet of snow on hilly resorts in Nathiagali, Ayubia, Changla Gali, Donga Gali, Bara Gali and Thandyiani.

The inclement weather paralysed life in Abbottabad and other areas as temperatures plunged to below freezing point. Several roads in the areas were closed because of the heaviest snowfall of the season so far. The Galyat Development Authority (GDA) spokesperson has warned the tourist in the areas to be cautious while driving in the slippery roads.

According to the Met Office, the snowfall started in the late hours of Friday and it continued till Saturday evening. It said that by noon, Abbottabad had received 1.5 feet of snow, while the temperature fell below freezing.

The snowfall affected daily life activities as most of the people remained indoors. Because of the load shedding of Sui gas, peoples are forced to use electricity heaters to warm themselves. because of high demand for the LPG cylinders, the dealers have increased its cost by Rs8 to 10 per kilogramme.

Owing to the fresh snowfall most of the roads in the Galyat region were blocked. GDA spokesperson Ahsan Hameed said that an advisory had been issued for the tourists and the locals, asking them to avoid unnecessary travel on the slippery roads.

The tourists were also advised to use chains on tyres, while driving in the snow, and must carry a good stock of water, biscuits and dry fruits with them. “Drive carefully with slow speed, keep a safe distance from other vehicles, avoid repeated use of breaks and contact GDA in case of an emergency,” said the advisory.

While updating on the road closure, Hameed said that Abbottabad to Muree road is closed from Bara Gali to Murree. He added that out of 56 kilometres long Abbottabad-Murree road, 34 kilometres track is covered in snow. The road from Abbottabad to Thandyiani was also closed from Kala Pani to Thandyiani, where at least three feet snowfall had been reported.

Snow removing machinery of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Highway Authority (KPHA) and the GDA remained on standby in Bara Gali, waiting for a break in the snowfall. Hameed said that at least 100 vehicles were stuck near at Karla More and rescuers were trying to evacuate them to safety.

Elsewhere, intermittent rain in Chitral city and surrounding areas, and snowfall on the mountains continued on Saturday. The Lowari tunnel road was also closed after 6 inches of snowfall as a result several passengers, including women and children, were stranded.