CHITRAL: A vital bridge over the Yarkhun River in Mastuj, the central town of Upper Chitral district, is facing an imminent threat of collapse, as rising water levels have started eroding the riverbed, weakening the bridge’s foundations.

The deteriorating situation has sparked fears of a complete suspension of traffic on a route that serves as the sole land link between Chitral and the Laspur Valley, Shandur Pass, Gilgit-Baltistan, and the Broghil Valley.

Speaking to reporters at the Chitral Press Club, social activist Saifur Rehman Aziz raised the alarm, stating that the wing wall on the Mastuj side of the bridge had already begun to fall. He warned that any further damage would disconnect thousands of residents and bring international tourism in the region to a halt.

He said that the bridge’s protective embankments had been significantly weakened during last year’s intense river flow, while a similar crisis last year was averted through emergency interventions by the Pakistan Army and Chitral Scouts. The structure remains fragile, he added.

Social activist says bridge collapse can suspend traffic between Chitral, GB

Mr Aziz said that the bridge was of immense strategic and economic importance, as it facilitates travel to the Broghil Valley and serves as the primary artery to the world-famous Shandur Polo ground.

“If the bridge collapses, the polo festival this year will be cancelled, and the local tourism industry will suffer,” he said and warned that water levels in the river were expected to surge further after May, leaving a very narrow window for protective work.

When contacted, Upper Chitral Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Imran Yousufzai said that the matter had been taken up with the Communication and Works Department and high-ranking officials to ensure emergency measures were implemented before the peak flood season.

RESIDENTS RETURN: The residents of the border town of Arandu, who were driven out of their houses due to the cross-border clashes, have returned to their native area after over a month, thanks to a ceasefire brokered by the local elders.

They were settled in Drosh and the surrounding areas. A farewell ceremony was held in Drosh town here the other day.

The function was arranged by the civil society in collaboration with security forces, where citizens hugged military personnel and presented them with floral garlands. Residents noted that the military’s support during the crisis further solidified the bond between the locals and the security forces.

In a separate development, Eng Anwarul Haq, Chief Executive Officer of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Energy Development Organisation (Pedo), visited the under-construction 69MW Lawi hydropower project in Chitral the other day.

Accompanied by a high-level delegation, Mr Haq inspected critical sites, such as the weir/intake area, box channel, and sedimentation basin.

After receiving a briefing from the project director, he directed the officials to conduct a thorough review of slope protection measures and drainage designs to safeguard the infrastructure against future floods.

During inspection of the headrace tunnel, the Pedo chief emphasised the urgency of accelerating underground excavation, and also issued instructions regarding the channelisation of the flood nullah situated between the powerhouse and the switchyard to mitigate environmental risks.

Published in Dawn, April 20th, 2026