Traffic restored on Karakoram Highway following landslide as heavy rainfall lashes GB

GILGIT: The Karakoram Highway (KKH) was reopened for traffic on Sunday while the Astore Valley road remained blocked as heavy rainfall lashed parts of Gilgit-Baltistan, triggering landslides across the region.

The KKH was blocked after a landslide near the Lachi area in Kohistan late Saturday night. According to local police, light traffic was restored to the KKH after nearly 20 hours.

Due to the blockage, thousands of passengers travelling to and from GB to other areas remained stranded for several hours, police said.

District administration has urged the public to take precautionary measures in light of the weather. As per the police, landslides have also blocked the Shounter Road in the Astore Valley.

Last week, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) had predicted rain, wind, and thunderstorms — with isolated heavy falls and hailstorms — in the upper parts of the country from April 16-19.

A westerly wave was expected to enter the nort­h­western parts of Pakistan on April 16 and is likely to persist in the upper regions until April 19.

The department advised provincial and district administrations to take necessary precautions to avoid any untoward situations during the forecast period.

For GB, PMD said that rain, wind, and thunderstorms — with moderate to isolated heavy falls and snowfall over mountains — are expected in Diamer, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ghanche, and Shigar during the forecast period with occasional breaks.

The PMD also warned of landslides in vulnerable areas of upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, GB, and Kashmir between April 17 and April 19.