KKH blocked after flash floods, landslides in Lower Kohistan

ISLAMABAD: Heavy rainfall triggered flash floods and landslides in Lower Kohistan, blocking the Karakoram Highway at Gloos Banda for all kinds of traffic, according to officials and local residents.

Residents said intense rain led to major landslides and the flow of debris onto the road, bringing traffic to a halt on both sides of the highway. The disruption left a large number of vehicles, cargo trucks and passengers stranded on the route, which serves as a key link between the northern areas and the rest of the country.

Officials said mud, stones and floodwater swept across affected stretches of the highway, causing severe blockages and making travel dangerous. They added that the situation became more serious because rainfall continued in the mountainous region, raising the possibility of additional landslides.

Clearance operation launched

Following the incident, the district administration in Lower Kohistan, together with teams from the National Highway Authority, began work to restore traffic on the highway. Authorities deployed heavy machinery, including excavators and bulldozers, to the affected locations in an effort to remove debris and reopen the blocked sections.

Officials said the operation was continuing on an emergency basis to restore movement as soon as possible. However, they cautioned that bad weather and intermittent rain could slow the clearance work and create further risks in vulnerable mountainous areas.

Travel advisory issued

The administration has advised passengers and transporters to avoid unnecessary travel on the route until weather conditions improve and the highway is fully reopened for traffic.

Rescue and emergency teams have remained on alert to respond to any further situation arising from rain or flooding, officials said.

The Karakoram Highway is a vital transport corridor, and any prolonged closure can disrupt passenger movement as well as the transportation of goods. In this case, authorities said efforts were focused on clearing the road at the earliest possible time, while also monitoring the weather-related risks that continue to affect the area.

Officials have not indicated when the blocked section will be fully reopened, but said restoration work is under way with emergency response teams and machinery already operating at the site.