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GILGIT: Intermittent rains continued across Gilgit-Baltistan on Sunday, hampering people’s movement in the mountainous region over the weekend.
Flights between Islamabad and Gilgit and Skardu remained suspended for a third consecutive day owing to bad weather.
According to officials, intermittent rain continued across the region on Sunday, while some high-altitude areas in Astore, Nagar, Hunza, Ghanche, Shigar, Kharmang, Ghizer and Skardu received more snow.
The Karakoram Highway, which was opened for traffic after remaining blocked at multiple locations in the Kohistan area of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Diamer district of Gilgit-Baltistan, was blocked again on Sunday evening near Sumar nullah due to a landslide.
Many passengers and tourists travelling to GB from other areas of the country were stranded.
KKH blocked by another landslide; flights remain suspended due to inclement weather
A passenger travelling from GB to Islamabad said it took him more than 24 hours to reach near Sumar nullah.
He said several travellers remained stuck at the Lotar area of Kohistan for many hours. And finally when they moved, they faced another hurdle near the Sumar nullah due to the landslide. He said people should avoid travelling on the road until the weather improves.
He expressed concern over the hardships being faced by women, children and patients stranded at various points, due to unavailability of basic facilities in remote areas.
Astore Valley Road and Kharmang Road were opened for traffic on Sunday, according to Rescue 1122. However, Deral Road remained blocked in the Gayal area of Diamer district. Many roads of the high-altitude areas also remained disconnected.
Amid rainy weather, landslides not only damaged roads but also posed serious threat to travellers.
In some parts of Skardu, rainwater entered homes, many people living near mountains shifted to safe places in the Ghanche district, fearing landslides.
Power supply to many remote areas remained suspended. Due to bad weather, mobile communication was also disrupted.
The intermittent rains, meanwhile, brought the temperature down across the region.
The GB government has yet to provide details of the damages caused by the current spell of rain.
Published in Dawn, April 21st, 2025
