Snowstorm freezes life in Shangla

Residents face power outages, blocked roads, and severe disruptions in daily life

After a three-day pause, a severe snowstorm returned to Shangla, once again disrupting daily life and closing roads that had recently been cleared.

On Tuesday, snowfall measured up to one foot in the district headquarters Alpurai and reached three feet on high-altitude roads including Shangla Top and Yakh Tanghi Top.

Authorities have registered three cases against drivers operating vehicles without snow chains, violating traffic regulations. Despite the heavy snowfall, electricity has yet to be restored in the district, leaving the valley shrouded in darkness even six days after the storm began.

The snowstorm, which resumed late Monday night, brought unusually cold temperatures to lowland areas and plunged higher-altitude residential zones below freezing. The combination of freezing temperatures and relentless snowfall has left daily life completely paralyzed. Internet and mobile networks frequently drop, while prolonged power outages continue to exacerbate residents' hardships.