SHANGLA: Authorities on Saturday cleared roads in most snow-hit parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, restoring vehicular traffic to the relief of both residents and visitors.

However, the entry of tourists to high-altitude mountainous destinations in the Hazara Division was restricted in view of the closed roads.

Prolonged suspension of power supply was reported in some areas, to the misery of residents amid intense cold.

Several snow-covered roads in Bajaur tribal district were reopened to traffic after remaining blocked for two days.

Police restrict tourists’ entry to high-altitude areas in Hazara

In a statement, the deputy commissioner’s office said Kitkoot-Laghari Road, Nakhtar-Laghari Road and Ghakhi-Laghari Road were worst hit by heavy snowfall in Lowi Mamund tehsil but snow had been cleared from there.

It also revealed the reopening of the Gatki-Shagoo, Kaga-Shago and Manoo Zangal-Mena roads in War Mamund tehsil, theKohi Sar-Memola Road in hilly Barang tehsil and Seri Sar-Arang Road in Utmankhel tehsil to traffic.

“All roads in the district, which were blocked due to heavy snowfall, have been reopened to vehicular traffic,” read the statement.

In the South Waziristan tribal district, too, authorities completed the snow removal operation on Saturday evening, restoring traffic on highways and roads.

The early reopening of roads was ordered by the director general of Rescue 1122.

The arteries were blocked by one to two feet of snow in several upper and hilly areas of the district, according to spokesman for Rescue 1122 in South Waziristan Shah Nawaz Wazir.

He said heavy snowfall had rendered several main and connecting roads inaccessible, stranding commuters and creating difficulties in the supply of essential goods.

In Shangla district, heavy snowfall severely disrupted life, leaving many roads blocked, tourists stranded and power supply suspended.

With the sun appearing on Saturday morning, residents cleared snow from rooftops as authorities struggled to restore road connectivity and power supply.

The upper parts of the district received 2-4 feet of snow, while lower areas recorded 4-6-inch snowfall from Thursday evening to Friday night, the heaviest in 13 to 14 years, according to residents.

In a statement, the deputy commissioner claimed the removal of snow from the Lilonai-Alpuri Road, Kass-Lilonai Road, Gaji-Karshat Road and Lodar Road. However, residents contested the claim, saying several routes remain blocked and inaccessible.

Meanwhile, a furniture factory collapsed in the Bely Baba area of Alpuri due to the accumulated rooftop snow.

The incident destroyed furniture. However, no damage to public life was reported.

Meanwhile, police restricted the entry of tourists to high-altitude mountainous destinations as the major Mansehra-Naran-Jalkhad Road and Hazara Expressway remained closed due to the heaviest snowfall in the decade in upper parts of Hazara Division.

“We have restricted the tourist journey beyond Kaghan town, which is still covered under a thick blanket of snow,” district police officer Azhar Khan told reporters.

Published in Dawn, January 25th, 2026