ISLAMABAD (PEN) : Karakoram highway is closed due to heavy rain and landslides in Kohistan and Diamer while all kinds of traffic have been diverted to alternative routes.
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) said that road clearance work is in progress which will open tomorrow (Wednesday).
NDMA is in touch with the concerned authorities and the situation is continuously monitored.
The fourth spell of snowfall during the current winter season on Sunday has been started in the mountainous regions of district Abbottabad, Mansehra, and Battagram where a persistent series of rain showers and intermittent snowfall has been observed since the early hours of the morning.
The weather phenomenon is affecting various tourist destinations including Galyat, Thandyani, Shogran, Kaghan, and Naran, where both rain and significant snowfall are being reported.
According to the locals, Thandyani, Nathiagali, Ayubia, Dongagali in district Abbottabad, and Shogran in district Mansehra have accumulated up to four inches of snow, while Naran has witnessed snowfall exceeding ten inches.
Director General of Kaghan Development Authority (KDA) Shabir Khan, has directed staff members to be deployed with machinery to assist and guide tourists and locals in these areas.
A state of high alert has been declared in multiple locations, with machinery deployed to mitigate the impact of the inclement weather, which has intensified the cold in the mountainous terrain.