December 06, 2006	Wednesday	Ziqa'ad 14, 1427

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ABBOTTABAD, Dec 5: Heavy snowfall and rains on the mountains have triggered massive landslides in the Galyat region, closing almost all link roads in the area.

The main road from Abbottabad to Murree has been closed down from Bara Gali onwards, while from the Murree side it is closed at Barian, disrupting all vehicular traffic. As snow and rains continued to lash the area, the link roads could not be cleared due to the absence of snow-removing equipment.

The road linking Kaghan and Naran and the Karakoram Highway were also closed down due to landslides at different points.

All communications in the quake-hit areas were badly affected, while Balakot, Battagram, Garhi Habibulah and the Siran Valley remained cut off from the rest of the country.

KILLED: Two sisters were killed and three other people were injured when the roof of a house collapsed in torrential rains in the Sikandaro area of Khaar – the headquarters of the agency -- on Monday night.

Sources in the political administration said the Pakistan-Afghanistan border at Ghakhi Pass and Nawa Pass had been closed down due to heavy snowfall in the area.

Those killed were identified as Uzma Bibi and Salma, daughters of Mohammad Rasool. The injured were Abdul Jabar Khan, Mohammad Yar and Zia Khan. There have been reports also about other collapsed houses in various parts of the agency.

During the last four days, 120mm rainfall and five feet of snowfall have been recorded and the area is in the grip of severe cold. —APP