CHITRAL: A house was destroyed and two were partially damaged when heavy rocks rolled down a hill in Kherchoom village of Oveer valley of Upper Chitral here on Thursday afternoon. No loss of life was reported as the families had gone to attend a wedding ceremony in the neighbourhood.

However, a number of cattle and poultry were buried under the debris of the damaged house while three families were rendered homeless.

The villagers said the hilly area was undergoing erosion for the last couple of decades and slipping of rocks from hills occurred frequently especially during winter.

In Lower Chitral, sliding of rocks is continuing in Shedi village, resulting in blockage of Chitral-Peshawar road occasionally for the last one week.

Jamal Abdul Nasir, a JUI leader, expressed his apprehensions about the possible collapse of the rock and asked the National Highway Authority to divert vehicular traffic to Ayun village and clear the debris to save the passengers from the impending danger of falling rocks.

Published in Dawn, February 26th, 2021