02 January 2005	Sunday	20 Ziqa'ad 1425

GILGIT, Jan 1: Temperature in the Northern Areas dropped below the freezing point due to heavy snowfall and intermittent rains, whereas landslides coupled with snowfall blocked the Karakoram Highway in Batgram district.

Reports from Astore, Yasin, Gojal, Gupis, Baltistan region, Hunza, Nagar and Phander areas said that the region was in grip of severe cold where snowfall and rains have paralyzed brought the public life to a standstill.

Many areas were said to be suffering from food and fuel-wood shortage because roads were snowfall and mudslides had blocked the roads at various points.

The air link between Gilgit, Skardu and Islamabad is already suspended for the last two weeks.

Traders in the Sust border town said that their convoys from China were prevented from entering Sust due to the snowfall as the border had been closed for trade and tourism from Saturday.

APP ADDS: The torrential rains in Batgram district triggered a series of landslides blocking Karakoram Highway for all kind of traffic.

The FWO officer in-charge of Dassu section, Captain Sajjid Khan, said that in the jurisdiction of Loter police station the road has been closed for all kind of traffic due to heavy landslides.

He said the FWO was making hectic efforts to restore the traffic.