Babusar Top closed for traffic after snowfall

Rain brings down mercury in Hazara division

ABBOTABAD/ BALAKOT:

Torrential rain coupled with lightning and thunderstorm turned the weather in Hazara division cold.

According to Rescue 1122, Babusar Top has been closed for all sorts of traffic due to snowfall while tourists travelling to Gilgit have been advised to use the Karakoram Highway (KKH) as alternate route.

Rescue 1122 issued an alert for the public to stay away from billboards, electricity poles, overhead electricity cables, and trees to avoid any loss and call 1122 in case of any emergency.

In Abbottabad, Mansehra, Battagram and Kohistan heavy rain, lightning and thunderstorm struck people at homes and buildings.

The metrology department has also forecast light snowfall in the upper parts including Babusar Top and Naran for a couple of days.

According to the meteorological department, heavy rains may trigger landslides in the districts of Hazara during next 48 hours.

Farmers were particularly advised to take precautionary measures during the forecast period.

Tourists have been directed to contact the traffic police helpline number (0997-391343) for more information.

Meanwhile, Acting Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Speaker of Provincial Assembly Mushtaq Ahmad Ghani directed officials concerned to complete all ongoing developmental projects in Abbottabad within due time.

He was addressing a meeting regarding the development projects in Abbottabad on Thursday.

The meeting discussed the performance of various ongoing projects in Abbottabad and the factors behind the delay in development works.

The officials informed Ghani that various development projects were delayed due to the lack of coordination among the departments.

He expressed his concerns and issued instructions to the relevant officers that all the departments should not only coordinate with each other but also play their role positively in the completion of the projects.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 21^st, 2022.