Severe snowfall paralyses life in Shangla for 2nd day

SHANGLA:

Life in Shangla district remained paralyzed for the second consecutive day on Saturday following heavy and unprecedented snowfall, as freezing temperatures caused the snow to harden, intensifying hardships for residents.

The effects of the powerful snowstorm that lashed the district a day earlier continue to be felt across the entire valley, disrupting routine life and essential services.

All main highways and link roads connecting Shangla with Swat, Kohistan and other adjoining districts could not be fully restored for traffic, leaving the district virtually cut off. Several feet of snow accumulated at various points, resulting in long queues of stranded vehicles and leaving commuters and travelers stuck for hours. Although snow clearance operations are underway in some areas, progress remains extremely slow due to the non-availability of snow cutters and heavy machinery, adding to public frustration.

The severe snowfall has also wreaked havoc on the district's electricity infrastructure. Power poles collapsed at multiple locations, completely damaging the electricity distribution system. As a result, the entire valley has remained without electricity for the past 48 hours, plunging residents into darkness amid freezing cold conditions. Despite the scale of the damage, no effective or practical restoration work has yet been initiated, further aggravating the situation.

Communication services have also been badly affected. Internet and mobile phone networks remain disrupted, with signals dropping intermittently, causing serious difficulties for residents as well as emergency and rescue services trying to coordinate relief efforts.

Adding to concerns, an unusual weather pattern was recorded as snowfall occurred after 15 years in Shangla's warmer and plain areas, including regions from Bisham to Dandai and surrounding localities. The rare snowfall and extreme cold have severely affected daily life in these areas, where people were neither mentally nor administratively prepared for such conditions.