Rain and snowfall disrupt daily life in Gilgit-Baltistan and AJK

GILGIT: Persistent rain and snowfall have continued to impact Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) and parts of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) since Monday, causing significant disruptions to daily life in several areas.

According to reports, heavy precipitation has led to road blockages and interruptions in essential services throughout Gilgit-Baltistan. The adverse weather conditions have made it difficult for residents to carry out routine activities, with many facing challenges due to the closure of key routes.

Snow avalanches near Khunjerab Pass resulted in the temporary closure of the Karakoram Highway (KKH), halting traffic between Pakistan and China for a brief period. Police officials stated that the KKH was blocked early Thursday at Tatapani in Diamer district following landslides. As a result, passengers, including foreign tourists, were stranded on both sides of the border for several hours.

A spokesperson for the Gilgit-Baltistan police confirmed that the affected section of the highway at Tatapani has now been reopened for all types of traffic. The spokesperson advised drivers to remain cautious and adhere to instructions from traffic police while traveling in the region.

Earlier, the Karakoram Highway had experienced blockages at multiple locations due to the ongoing severe weather. Authorities have been working to clear the routes and restore normalcy as quickly as possible.

The continuous rain and snowfall have highlighted the vulnerability of the region's infrastructure to extreme weather events, underscoring the need for preparedness and timely response to such disruptions.