Landslides block KKH, stranding thousands

LOWER KOHISTAN: Work to restore traffic on the Karakoram Highway in Lower Kohistan continued for a second straight day on Wednesday, as the Frontier Works Organisation (FWO) and district authorities carried out round-the-clock clearance operations after days of heavy rain triggered landslides at multiple points.

According to officials, torrential rainfall over the past three days from Besham to Pattan caused landslides at dozens of locations. Floodwater and large volumes of debris damaged sections of the highway, leaving thousands of vehicles stranded and creating serious difficulties for passengers, including women, children and sick people.

The last 72 hours of continuous rain caused widespread disruption across Lower Kohistan. From Sholgarah to Pattan, several stretches of the Karakoram Highway remained fully blocked because of landslides, floodwater and debris accumulation. Hundreds of vehicles were trapped along the route, while some were buried under falling debris. However, all occupants of those vehicles escaped without injury.

Residents of nearby settlements helped stranded travellers by opening hujras and other shelters to them. They also provided meals, refreshments and temporary accommodation. Free food and drinking water were distributed at several points along the highway to assist passengers waiting for the road to reopen.

Clearance work underway

FWO teams deployed heavy machinery to clear the affected sections and restore the road network. District administration officials and police personnel were also present at the sites, overseeing relief and clearance efforts.

Authorities said they were hopeful the highway could be reopened for traffic by Wednesday evening.

In a separate visit, Deputy Commissioner Lower Kohistan Tariq Mahmood, accompanied by the district police officer, went to Jijal, where flash floods and landslides had completely blocked the Karakoram Highway a day earlier.

Following the deputy commissioner's intervention, machinery from FWO’s 142 RMB unit was mobilised for road clearance in the area, and work was continuing at the site. The deputy commissioner and the district police officer reviewed the operation on the ground and issued instructions to relevant officials to speed up efforts aimed at restoring the flow of traffic.

The disruption has affected a major transport route in the region, with long queues of stranded vehicles reported along blocked sections of the highway as authorities continued efforts to remove debris and reopen the road.