KKH to remain closed till Friday due to landslides

GILGIT: The Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) government and the Upper Kohistan district administration have declared that the Karakoram Highway (KKH) will remain closed to traffic until Friday.

The decision comes after the highway was temporarily reopened for light traffic, only to be shut down again due to landslides triggered by heavy snowfall and rain.

The region has been grappling with severe weather conditions, leading to multiple road blockages. According to a statement issued by the GB government, the redirected KKH at the Main Dam Site in Upper Kohistan, now overseen by FWO & Hakas Construction Company, has been obstructed by debris. The statement said that clearing the debris would take approximately two days. Meanwhile, the old KKH route through the actual Dam area will also remain closed, further complicating travel and transport in the area.

The statements said efforts to manage the crisis include coordination between the District Administration of Kohistan and neighbouring districts to facilitate traffic from the down country. It is to be noted that the KKH has been diverted to a new route on the construction site of the Diamer Basha Dam.

The closure of the KKH and other roads like the Baltistan Road, which has been closed for three consecutive days, has significantly impacted the region. The supply of fuel and fresh produce has been disrupted, leading to increased prices and stranded vehicles along the highway. The GB Disaster Management Authority reported that the Astore Road was briefly reopened, providing some relief amidst the widespread disruptions.

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In addition to road closures, the region has faced power outages and communication disruptions, with cold waves affecting the upper areas. The adverse weather began on Monday morning, with lower areas experiencing rain and upper areas receiving snowfall.

This shift in weather follows a prolonged period of dry conditions in GB.

The GB government had previously issued a weather alert, predicting heavy rainfall and snow from February 19 to 27, urging departments to remain alert for emergencies. Deputy commissioners across the region have echoed this call for preparedness as they work to mitigate the effects of the inclement weather on the local population and infrastructure.