CHITRAL: The ongoing search for the recovery of students buried under the snow avalanche in Susoom village of Karimabad valley had to be suspended on Saturday due to heavy rain which increased risk of triggering more avalanches.

Mir Aslam, team leader of community volunteers working on the site, told Dawn by telephone that no work could be initiated as rain continued throughout the day.

He said that the search would face further delays if the area received snow which was imminent any time during the night if the rain continued.

A team of NDMA, personnel of Chitral Scouts, police, Chitral Levies and local volunteers have been busy in the search operation for last two weeks after nine students, coming from school, were buried under a snow avalanche.

Meanwhile, Chitral-Garam Chashma and Ayun-Bumburate roads along with a number of other valley roads were closed for vehicular traffic on Saturday as the district received widespread rains for the second day.

The roads closure has brought the life to a standstill.

The local markets wore a deserted look as the people confined themselves to their homes due to the intense cold.

Published in Dawn, April 3rd, 2016