CHITRAL: An avalanche struck a house in the Damial area of Chitral, killing nine members of the same family, including several women, while two others were rescued alive, according to district authorities.
Officials said the deceased included five women and four men, whose bodies were recovered from the debris of the destroyed home. The victims belonged to the family of Bacha Khan Gul Muhammad, a resident of the mountainous Sriga area.
Local residents, along with the Chitral Scouts and police, took part in rescue operations that led to the recovery of the bodies and the rescue of a woman and a child.
Meanwhile, authorities have temporarily banned the entry of tourists into Murree following continued heavy snowfall. Officials said the decision was taken to prevent accidents amid worsening weather conditions, as snowfall persists and authorities remain on high alert.
Snow clearance work is ongoing on major roads in Murree, but daily life in surrounding and remote areas has been severely affected. Electricity supply has been suspended in several localities, while the Pakistan Meteorological Department has forecast that the current spell of snowfall may continue until Friday evening.
In another development, heavy snowfall has forced the closure of Tirah Road, stranding multiple vehicles. The Provincial Disaster Management Authority said rescue operations are under way to evacuate trapped passengers, who are being provided food and shifted to safer locations as a precaution.
Rescue 1122 has deployed 15 personnel from Peshawar to Tirah, along with recovery vehicles, ambulances, medical supplies and rescue equipment. The PDMA director general has directed district administrations to remain on high alert and said the situation is being closely monitored to ensure a timely response.
Authorities have urged citizens to avoid unnecessary travel on snow-affected routes until weather conditions improve.
