A lightning strike severely damaged the equipment of Radio Pakistan in Abbottabad resulting in affecting the newly installed 250-foot antenna, two transmitters, and various other equipment.
Fortunately, all Radio Pakistan and Associated Press of Pakistan employees remained unharmed in the premises of the building at the time of lightning.
According to the details, an upcoming channel of Radio Pakistan ‘Sutul Quran’ was also affected by the lightning. Sources estimate the total worth of the affected items to be in the millions whereas Radio Pakistan headquarters has been informed of the situation. A technical team will soon assess the damage to the transmitters and towers to provide an accurate estimate of the losses incurred.
Director Radio Pakistan Abbottabad station, Houn Usman stated that the tower had been properly grounded and the intensity of the lightning strike had been mitigated. He further said that proper earthing of the tower reduced the risk of lightning strikes and prevented potential damage to the building.
Communication disruption
Three days of continuous heavy snowfall have severely disrupted communication links and blocked roadways, affecting popular tourist destinations in the Upper Hazara division, including Kaghan, Naran, Shogran, Nathiagali, Donga Gali, and Thandiani.
During the three-day heavy snowfall period, Galyat received over 2.5 feet of snow, while Kaghan and Naran received up to 4 feet, resulting in sub-zero temperatures.
Read Lightning kills 6 in upper Punjab
In Galyat, the main Murree Road, a vital route connecting multiple destinations, has been closed due to a snow avalanche at Toheedabad all vehicular traffic to Galyat and roads connecting to Murree have been blocked.
In Tehsil Balakot, Mansehra Naran Jalkhad (MNJ) road has been blocked in various places due to landslides and avalanches.
A patrolling team of Kaghan Development Authority (KDA), led by Inspectors Zahid and Moazam Khan, rescued five tourists from Karachi who were trapped in the snow at Khannian Naran and safely relocated them to Mahandri. Subsequently, their vehicle was also recovered from the snow and returned to the tourists.
Rescue 1122 Abbottabad, an emergency response unit has initiated efforts to reopen Murree Road and has successfully rescued stranded tourists’ vehicles at Kundala and shifted them to Abbottabad.
Heavy snowfall has also disrupted the electricity supply in the upper parts of the Hazara division, including Kaghan, Naran, and some parts of Galyat.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 21st 2024.
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