ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): Heavy snowfall in the upper parts of the country has paralysed life, with several feet of snow covering the upper parts.
Heavy snowfall occurred in the upper parts of Azad Kashmir, including Neelum Valley, Sidhanoti, Bagh, Hattian Bala, Ath Muqam, and Upper Neelum.
Due to heavy snowfall, around 25 vehicles, including an ambulance, got stuck in the Haveli district.
The Pakistan Army rescued 32 passengers as around 100 people were in the stuck vehicles. 3 houses collapsed due to heavy snowfall in Neelum Valley.
Important highways were closed due to snowfall and landslides, and Rescue operations are underway to restore the roads.
According to the Rescue spokesperson, Rescue 1122 has safely rescued more than 1,100 affected people, and more than 120 vehicles stuck in the snow were rescued.
Moreover, snowfall continues intermittently in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. After the roads in Kaghan Valley were closed due to snowfall, the administration closed the entry to tourists.
Tourists were stopped in Balakot as Roads in Dir Bala, Kamrat, Lowari Tunnel, and Bajaur were also closed due to snowfall.
The process of rescuing people stranded due to snowfall in Khyber is underway. According to the Deputy Commissioner of Khyber, the stranded people were shifted to Painda China School and Hostel.
Four tourists who were stuck in the snow for 22 hours were rescued at Shangla Top.
NEOC Advisory
On the other hand, the National Emergency Operation Center (NEOC) has issued an advisory until January 29, stating that westerly winds will affect the upper and northern areas, and more snowfall is likely in the upper areas during the next 24 to 48 hours.
According to the National Emergency Operation Center, heavy snowfall is expected in the mountainous areas of Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir.
Snowfall is likely in the northern districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and avalanches are likely in the upper areas of Balochistan.
The Emergency Operation Center says that there is a possibility of a severe cold wave in most parts of the country, and the public should avoid traveling in snowfall and fog.
The NEOC has directed machinery and response teams to remain alert, and instructions have also been issued to take guidance from the NDMA Disaster Alert Mobile App for safety measures.
