Kohistan landslides close KKH

SHANGLA:

The Karakoram Highway was closed for traffic at different locations because of landslides triggered by heavy rains in the Kohistan region, creating difficulties for travellers to and from Gilgit-Baltistan, officials said on Friday.

Life in the northern region has been brought to a standstill as landslides and avalanches blocked major roads, including KKH, Baltistan Road and Astore Valley road.

The inclement weather also damaged water channels, land communications and electricity infrastructure in many areas.

The KKH was blocked at multiple locations in Kohistan, leaving people stranded in remote areas.

The KKH was temporarily reopened at Lotar and Harban in the afternoon for light vehicles, however, the Chilas-Gilgit section of the highway remained severely affected by landslides at Bunardas and Gandlu, they added. As a result, hundreds of passengers, who were going home for Eidul Fitr, including students, women and children as well as the tourists were stranded due to the closure of the main highway. The land route between Gilgit and Rawalpindi was severed because of the closure of the Karakoram Highway.

Continuous heavy rainfall in Kohistan also triggered landslide near Shatial in the Upper Kohistan area. Police said that the road had been reopened temporarily, but warned tourists to avoid unnecessary travel to Gilgit-Baltistan.

On Thursday, a man was killed and another injured in accidents following torrential rains and snowfall in upper parts of Gilgit-Baltistan.

Traffic reportedly resumed at the KKH in Kohistan after it was blocked due to landslides in Ochar area on Wednesday. Long queues of cars, passenger coaches and trucks were formed on both sides of the KKH.

Meanwhile, landslides blocked the Baltistan road at Malupa and Triko in Rondu of Skardu. Rescue 1122 said one person died and another injured when a car was hit by falling rocks in Astore on Wednesday.

The car, with two passe­ngers, was travelling from Astore towards Dashkin when the accident took place near Kichak village. The deceased was identified as Zaheerul Haq. He died on the spot. The injured man was shifted to the District Headquarters Hospital for treatment. Police said Astore Valley road has been blocked at Kicham village after an avalanche hit the area on Thursday.