GILGIT: A snow avalanche triggered near Hakuchar village of Nagar district blocked a link road on Wednesday, forcing authorities to evacuate inmates of 43 houses in the village to safe palaces as more avalanches were feared.

The villagers were shifted in a school building situated in Phakar valley.

Gilgit-Baltistan Disaster Mana­gement Authority (GBDMA) has identified possible snow avalanches in Jaffarabad, Nilat, Dadimal, and other villages of the district in coming days and advised the local population to shift to safe palaces.

When contacted, GBDMA assistant director for Hunza and Nagar district, Shahzad Baig told Dawn that the snow avalanche occurred near Hakuchar village, blocking a road linking the Phakar valley to rest of the region.

He said work on restoration of the road was underway, adding food items, medicines and other basic facilities had been provided to the evacuated people.

The official said machinery had been placed in the area to clear the road and restore road communication. He said there was fear of more avalanches in coming days in the area.

Mr Baig said after heavy snowfall, GBDMA had conducted a survey in Nagar district to assess potential snow avalanches, adding various villages, including Jaffarabad, Nilt, Dadimal, Ghamadas, Myachar and other areas, were identified to be vulnerable to snow avalanches.

The official said GBDMA was formulating a mechanism to cope with such a scenario, and also advised people to adopt preventive measures.

Meanwhile, the local people criticised the GB government for not taking urgent measures for restoration of the road. They said people were trying to clear the road of snow avalanche on their own.

Meanwhile, intermittent snowfall continued across GB on Wednesday, and it was reported that many feet of snow had accumulated in upper parts of the region, which was rare in decades.

Published in Dawn, February 7th, 2019