GILGIT: The blockade of Karakoram Highway (KKH) and Juglot-Skardu road left thousands of passengers stranded in different parts of GilgitBaltistan.

Landsliding triggered by flash floods blocked the KKH at multiple locations in Diamer along with Juglot-Skardu and other roads.

Thousands of passengers, including tourists, remained stranded at various areas of the region.

The KKH was blocked at Lal Pari, Gandlu and Tattapani in Diamer while heavy rockfall blocked the JuglotSkardu road at Talu of Rondu valley.

Landsliding also damaged two cars at KKH near Tatapani. However, no human loss was reported.

In June last year, the then GB chief minister Khalid Khurshid Khan had inaugurated work on the construction of an alternative route opposite the highly vulnerable Tattapani section of the KKH to avoid frequent blockade of the artery due to landslides.

However, work on the project was suspended after spending billions of rupees. Secretary Works Safdar Khan said the road to Baltistan was blocked at Tallu Rondu and KKH at multiple sites near Tattapani and adjoining areas. He advised tourists to travel with prior information about clearance of roads.

Meanwhile, flash floods swept away link roads in Diamer, Astore, Ghizer, Hunza and Nagar. Tourists complained slow pace of work on Juglot-Skardu road and KKH to restore traffic.

Meanwhile, the works department said the KKH was opened for one-way traffic in Diamer on Sunday evening while efforts to open Juglot-Skardu Road was underway.

Published in Dawn, July 31st, 2023