GILGIT: Karakoram Highway (KKH) and Baltistan Road, which were closed after heavy rainfall triggered landslides at several points a day before, reopened for traffic on Friday, officials said.

However, Astore Road and some link roads in upper areas of Gilgit-Baltistan continued to remain disconnected as they received fresh spells of snowfall.

According to the police, landslides and mudslides caused by the rain had blocked KKH at some locations in Kohistan area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Diamer town of Gilgit-Baltistan. However, they added, the highway was reopened on Friday.

Thousands of passengers travelling to and from GB, who were stuck at many points for hours, resumed their journey after clearance.

GB areas receive rains, snowfall; life in certain parts paralysed

Baltistan Road, which was blocked at two locations in Roundu valley of Skardu, was also opened for traffic. However, Astore Valley Road, which is blocked at Kicham village following avalanches and landslides, could not be opened despite efforts by the agencies concerned.

GB Disaster Management Authority officials said heavy machinery had been deployed in the area to remove snow and rocks from the road. They said the road, which was blocked by an avalanche in Kicham, had been cleared but it still remained closed due to landslides at two other places.

They said the district administration will issue an update about the road situation only after it is fully restored, adding that until then passengers were advised to avoid travelling.

Frequent rains and snowfall in upper areas of GB have pushed the temperature below freezing point and life has come a standstill. Chilam, Mirmalik, Manimarg and other areas received up to six inches of snowfall on Thursday.

Yasin, Guphis, some other areas of Ghizer, upper parts of Hunza, Nagar, and some remote regions of Baltistan also received snow.

Published in Dawn, March 29th, 2025