MUZAFFARABAD: The ongoing spell of heavy rains have wiped out a portion of an important artery along Jhelum River, suspending all kinds of vehicular traffic between Poonch, Haveli and Sudhnoti districts of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad.

Pictures and video clips posted on social media on Monday showed large cracks and erosion of the metalled road beyond Azad Pattan Bridge that connects the AJK territory with Punjab, rendering it unusable not only for the vehicles but also for the pedestrians.

Expressing concern over the situation, AJK’s senior minister and Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) regional president Sardar Tanveer Ilyas said he was in constant touch with the Punjab government to find out an early solution to the predicament of commuters and travelers.

Also on Monday, vehicular movement through Tain-Dhalkot Road was affected due to a landslide in the AJK territory. A passenger coach was also trapped in the landslide area.

However, Mr Ilyas said after coming to know about it, he had immediately rushed the officials concerned along with the machinery to remove earth as well as the trapped vehicle from the affected portion of road.

The Tain-Dhalkot Road also connects the AJK territory with Punjab.

The senior minister said he had instructed allrelevant departments to remain on their toes to deal with any emergency situation in the event of rain and snowfall.

“I have asked them to ensure the availability of the earth removing machines and other machinery close to vulnerable sites for a rapid response,” he said.

Published in Dawn, March 8th, 2022