Winter’s wrath: Stranded passengers see no light at the end of Lowari Tunnel

Commuters stuck in tunnel face severe weather as crucial link closes down after heavy snow.

CHITRAL: Chitral district has been disconnected with the rest of the country after Lowari Tunnel was closed due to heavy snowfall over the weekend.

An official of the National Highway Authority (NHA) said the crucial route has been shut down for all kinds of traffic as more than five feet of snow was recorded at the Lowari Top. He said the action has been taken to prevent vehicles from skidding and accidents taking place which has previously resulted in many casualties.



The official said vehicles which were travelling through the tunnel amid the heavy snow are stuck, and passengers are facing severe temperatures and food shortage. He added that security forces were trying their best to work their way through the snow to the stranded passengers.

On the other hand, the passengers stranded at Lowari Top criticised the provincial government, the NHA and Sambo, the Korean construction company carrying out work at the tunnel, for closing the pass.

Ahmad Khan, a resident of Arandu, said he along with hundreds of other passengers, is stuck at Lowari Top due to the heavy snow since Saturday night.

Khan said after the snowfall, some people helped shift his family to safer locations nearby while he was stuck with his car which was under five feet of snow.



“Some of the stranded passengers are suffering from high fever and if they are not provided emergency treatment, their condition could turn critical” he said.

Former Chitral nazim Maghfirat Shah said he and his team tried to help passengers get out of the tunnel but they do not have the necessary machinery.

Shah said in case of any mishap, residents of Chitral would protest and file cases against Sambo, NHA and the provincial government.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 23^rd, 2013.