CHITRAL: The major roads of Madak Lasht and Karimabad continue to be completely closed to traffic following extensive damage from the recent flash floods.
The strategic Chitral-Garam Chashma Road was reopened after a four-day clearance operation.
The road leading to the scenic Madak Lasht area, nestled in the Sheshi Koh valley, was blocked by torrential torrents two weeks ago. It was almost reopened to traffic when a fresh, devastating spell of flash floods struck the region, undoing restoration work and sealing the valley off once again.
Former union nazim of Sheshi Koh Suhrab Khan painted a grim picture of the destruction.
“The latest flash floods washed away four critical jeepable bridges over the local nullah, which served as the primary transit links connecting the eastern and western banks of the valley,” he told Dawn.
According to Mr Khan, the valley has been battered by flash floods three times during the current season alone, leaving the local communication and road infrastructure shattered.
He said a similarly catastrophic situation was unfolding in the Karimabad valley where vehicular traffic on the west bank remained entirely suspended for the fifth consecutive day on Friday.
“The ferocious flood overrunning its banks washed away 12 bridges that linked the right and left sides of the valley,” he said.
Former Shoghore village chairman Sajjad Ahmad said the villages of Sanik, Hinjil, Breshgram and Sher Shal continued to be cut off from the rest of the district.
He said the destruction of local roads and bridges had halted all forms of transport, sparking fears of impending supply shortages.
Local MPA Fatehul Mulk Ali Nasir visited the flood-ravaged Karimabad valley on Friday to review the extent of the damage and directed authorities to immediately launch restoration work on four of the destroyed bridges to re-establish emergency connectivity.
The vital Chitral-Garam Chashma Road was made trafficable afterwards.
The deputy director (maintenance) of the National Highway Authority told Dawn that their field teams worked hectically under challenging conditions for four consecutive days to clear debris and safely reopen the highway on Friday bringing much-needed relief to thousands of commuters.
Published in Dawn, August 8th, 2026
