The Gilgit-Baltistan region in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) has been cut off from the remaining country due to several landslides triggered by massive rains that has killed over 100 people so far.
The Gilgit-Baltistan region in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) has been cut off from the remaining country due to several landslides triggered by massive rains that has killed over 100 people so far.
The heavy rains which started at the weekend were still battering the northern mountainous regions of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and PoK, triggering several landslides and blocking Pakistan’s vital land-link with China.
The strategic Karakoram Highway, which links Kashghar in Xinjiang with Gilgit and Abbottabad through the Khunjerab Pass, has been damaged at more than 50 places from Gojal to Besham, leaving hundreds of commuters and over 50 foreign tourists stranded. The roads leading to Skardu, Astore and Ghizer are also blocked, resulting in shortage of food items and fuel.
Over 70 people have died so far in the Gilgit-Baltistan region and more than 30 in the neighbouring Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province due to rains which lasted for over 48 hours and damaged hydro-power projects that supply electricity to Gilgit town and elsewhere.
According to Army’s Frontier Works Organisation’s Colonel Amjad Wali, a main bridge on the KKH has also got damaged and efforts are underway to make it fit for travel.
