Heavy snowfall disrupts life in hilly areas of Abbottabad

ABBOTTABAD: The continuous rain and heavy snowfall in the hilly areas of the district, including Thandiyani, Nathiagali, Donga Gali and Ayubia, on Monday disrupted the routine life, causing temperatures to plummet below freezing.

With snowfall reaching up to two feet in some areas, several link roads have been closed, and the main Abbottabad-Murree Road was temporarily blocked, disrupting transportation and daily life.

The Galiyat Development Authority (GDA) has deployed snow-removing machines to clear the roads, with four machines working to restore access. Traffic police and Rescue 1122 personnel have set up information centres to assist tourists and local residents.

To ensure public safety, the district administration has prohibited the entry of tourists into Galiyat until the connection roads are restored.

Tourists are advised to avoid unnecessary travel to the area. Director General Gallyat Development Authority Shah Rukh Khan confirmed that more than one feet of snow has fallen in most of the areas where most of the link roads, including main Abbottabad-Murree road, have been blocked.

“We have sent different teams along with heavy machinery to Nathiagali & Changlagali circles to cope with the situation and reopen the blocked roads. Our teams are active & machinery mobilized to open all the roads,” he added.

The Galiyat police have rescued a female teacher and her family, who were trapped in a school during the heavy snowfall. Additional personnel have been deployed to assist tourists and local residents.

Meanwhile, the city of Abbottabad and adjoining areas have been experiencing continuous rainfall for the last three days, bringing much-needed relief to the region. The persistent rain showers have transformed the city’s landscape, with lush greenery and swollen streams.