Massive flash flood washes away bridge in Upper Kohistan

Karakoram Highway is blocked on both sides right now and no buses are allowed, says Climate Minister Sherry Rehman

A temporary bridge in the Dasu area of Upper Kohistan district in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa was washed away due to a massive flash flood at Uchar nullah, Minister for Climate Sherry Rehman said on Friday.

“Massive flash flood at Nullah (RD 303) in Dassu district, KP. Compact bridge has been washed off with the flood surge,” she wrote on her official Twitter handle.

Massive flash flood at Nullah (RD 303) in Dassu district, KP. Compact bridge has been washed off with the flood surge. KKH is blocked both sides right now. No buses are allowed for now on Babusar road. All DCs of the area need to remain vigilant. The bridge was not resilient. pic.twitter.com/vz8V3IDIGm

— SenatorSherryRehman (@sherryrehman) August 12, 2022

Karakoram Highway is blocked on both sides right now and no buses are allowed for now on Babusar road. “All DCs [deputy commissioners] of the area need to remain vigilant. The bridge was not resilient,” the minister added.

Meanwhile, in an advisory, the National Highway Authority (NHA) said that the Karakoram Highway was two-way blocked for all types of traffic due to the massive flash flood at the Uchar nullah which washed away the temporary “Compact 200 bridge”.

🚨🚧Road Closure Alert🚧 pic.twitter.com/ocG9dfcoPC

— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) August 12, 2022

NHA and Frontier Works Organisation (FWO) teams have been mobilised at the site for restoration of traffic link, it added.

“Travellers planning to move ahead of Dasu from and to Gilgit and other areas, are requested to use the alternate route via Kaghan and Babusar Pass for both ways of traffic,” read the statement.