Snow blocked roads being cleared in Kaghan, says NHA

MANSEHRA: The National Highway Authority (NHA) has initiated snow-clearing works on roads in Naran and Kaghan in anticipation for this summer’s tourist season.

Six large and small glaciers between Kaghan and Naran and 13 between Naran and Getidas are being cleared with the work planned to be completed within ten days, according to NHA officials.
Meanwhile, Gilgit-Baltistan residents would be able to use the Naran-Babusar road after May 15 after clearance operations end. The roads were closed due to heavy snowfall in December, last year.

The glaciers are 300 feet wide and close to 80 feet in height.

Tourism to Pakistan’s northern areas has seen tremendous growth in recent years and people visit the mountains during the summers. However, heavy snowfall during winters has meant that problems often arise due to road closures. Close to 800 vehicles with hundreds of passengers were left stranded on roads as heavy snowfall last year in parts of Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Galyat cause road blockage and suspension of electricity supplies. Closure also meant that there was food and water supply shortage.