MANSEHRA: The district administration has restricted tourists from going close to the Kunhar River due to fear of sudden swelling of water during the monsoon season.

“The district administration has already imposed a ban on going near streams and riversides, and tourists are being restricted by officials in Kaghan Valley and the rest of Balakot tehsil,” a statement issued on Monday said.

It said that various teams of district administration, led by additional assistant commissioner, visited different points along the Kunhar River and directed tourists, locals and motorists to move away.

Families visiting the picturesque Kaghan Valley from across the country have been advised to avoid going near riversides. “During the monsoon season, rains can occur sporadically, causing water level in rivers and streams to rise suddenly, leaving those present on the banks with little time to move to safer places,” it said.

The statement also advised visitors to strictly follow official instructions and warning boards installed across Kaghan Valley for their safety as glaciers were also being melted rapidly due to heat wave.

Meanwhile, the boundary wall of a power grid station in Balakot collapsed. According to locals, no loss of life was reported in the incident as nobody was present near the wall, which had been constructed around two years ago.

ROAD: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan governments, in consultation with National Highway Authority, have suspended traffic on both sides of Babusar Top until June 3 to widen Mansehra-Naran-Jalkhad Road and clear the artery of boulders and rocks.

“The GB government, fearing landslides and blockade of MNJ road, contacted us to halt traffic as it wants to clear and widen the artery to ensure smooth flow of traffic,” Hasrat Khan, the assistant commissioner of Balakot, told journalist on Monday.

He said that the road would be reopened on Wednesday morning if the weather remained unchanged. “We have moved machines to widen our side of MNJ road while cutting giant glaciers and the GB government is also doing the same, completing the task within the stipulated period of three days,” he added.

Police also erected a barrier near the Lolusar Lake to stop entry of vehicles to GB.

Published in Dawn, June 2nd, 2026