Unusual July snowfall blankets Babusar
A man stands near a vehicle stuck in water waiting to be rescued during heavy monsoon rain in the city. PHOTO: ONLINE/FILE
The Kaghan Valley experienced an unexpected drop in temperature as over three inches of snowfall blanketed Babusar Top during the typically hot month of July. Consequently, the road to Babusar was temporarily closed due to slippery conditions.
This development has left hundreds of tourists and travelers stranded, as the Karakoram highway has also been affected by landslides in multiple locations. The occurrence of snowfall at Babusar Top serves as a stark reminder that climate change is beginning to impact Kaghan Valley, along with other cities in the country. Observable changes in the valley’s four seasons—spring, autumn, summer, and winter—highlight the transforming weather patterns. Balakot and Kaghan Valley have experienced rain in recent days, resulting in cooler temperatures in Kaghan Valley due to the snowfall on Babusar Top. The weather in Balakot has also become pleasant.
Additionally, the Karakoram Highway has been closed at Thor, Tattapani, and other locations due to heavy rain, leaving tourists and travelers heading from Gilgit Baltistan to Islamabad stranded on the road throughout the day. The closure of these two highways has severed the connection between Gilgit Baltistan, Hazara Division, and Islamabad.
Efforts to reopen the Karakoram Highway were under way at the time of the last update.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 8th, 2023.