PESHAWAR: Rain and snowfall continued for the third consecutive day in Abbottabad and adjacent areas which has caused a considerable drop in mercury along with a decline in tourism.
In the Thandiani area of the district, over three feet of snowfall has been recorded during the last three days which has blocked major roads leading towards Murree and disconnecting dozens of villages from the city area.
According to local people, prolonged power outages were also reported from the upper parts of the district due to heavy snowfall forcing the people to remain indoors. The snowy weather has also caused a shortage of food items and firewood in upper Abbottabad.
The officials of Gilgit Development Authority (GDA) were busy in clearing the roads through heavy machinery while Rescue 1122 staff and district police were present to assist the tourists.
The snowfall continued in Nathia Gali, Changa Gali, Donga Gali and Ayubia for the last three days. Due to the heavy snowfall life in these tourist resorts has almost come to a standstill.
Three days of continuous heavy snowfall have severely disrupted communication links and blocked roadways, affecting popular tourist destinations in Upper Hazara division, including Kaghan, Naran, Shogran, Nathiagali, Donga Gali, and Thandiani.
During the three-day heavy snowfall period, Galyat received over 2.5 feet of snow, while Kaghan and Naran received up to 4 feet, resulting in sub-zero temperatures.
In Galyat, the main Murree Road, a vital route connecting multiple destinations, has been closed due to a snow avalanche at Toheedabad all vehicular traffic to Galyat and roads connecting to Murree have been blocked.
In Tehsil Balakot, Mansehra Naran Jalkhad (MNJ) road has been blocked in various places due to landslides and avalanches.
A patrolling team of Kaghan Development Authority (KDA), led by Inspectors Zahid and Moazam Khan, rescued five tourists from Karachi who were trapped in snow at Khannian Naran and safely relocated them to Mahandri.
Subsequently, their vehicle was also recovered from the snow and returned to the tourists.
Rescue 1122 Abbottabad, emergency response unit has initiated efforts to reopen Murree Road and has successfully rescued stranded tourists’ vehicles at Kundala and shifted them Abbottabad. Heavy snowfall has also disrupted electricity supply in upper parts of Hazara division, including Kaghan, Naran, and some parts of Galyat.
