GILGIT: Continuous snowfall on Saturday night and Sunday brought life to a standstill in Gilgit-Baltistan, blocking different roads, including the Karakoram highway and suspending electricity supply.

The snowfall also suspended PIA flights between Islamabad, Skardu and Gilgit.

Snowfall across GB started on Saturday night and continued till Sunday morning. Upper areas of Ghizer, Hunza, Nagar, Astore, Diamer, Skardu, Ghanche, Shigar and Kharmang received five inches of snowfall, dipping temperature below freezing point.

Traffic on the Hunza and Nagar sections of KKH remained blocked, causing difficulties to travellers.

Approach roads to various localities in upper parts were covered with a thick layer of snow, disconnecting these localities to other adjoining areas and restricting people indoors.

According to the Met office, rain and snowfall will continue in parts of GB next week.

Meanwhile, Pakistan Army helicopters delivered relief items and medical aid to the earthquake victims of Yolbo village of Roundu subdivision in Skardu.

According to a press release issued by ISPR on Sunday, ration packages, clean drinking water and medicines were delivered to the people.

It said a medical officer and necessary medical equipment/medicines were airlifted to Yolbo village in order to provide first aid to the injured people. It added a first-aid post was established there in which 41 individuals were also provided free medicines.

In addition, a critically-ill minor girl was rescued by helicopter along with her parents.

An earthquake had struck the village on Monday night, injuring scores of people and rendering scores others homeless as many houses collapsed.

Published in Dawn, January 3rd, 2022