Intermittent Rains, Snow Falls Paralyze Normal Life In AJK
The intermittent rains and snowfalls continued for last 48 hour have paralyzed the normal life in Azad jammu and Kashmir and particularly in the mountainous regions of Neelum Valley, Leepa Valley and in Poonch Division of the state
The past 48 hours have seen intermittent rains and snowfalls that have severely disrupted normal life in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, especially in the mountainous regions of Neelum Valley, Leepa Valley, and Poonch Division.
According to reports from the Police Control Room and the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) on Monday, heavy rains have intermittently lashed Azad Jammu and Kashmir, compelling people to stay indoors. The capital city of Muzaffarabad has been particularly affected, with roads and drains resembling ponds and business activities coming to a standstill. Additionally, the Neelum and Jehlum rivers are experiencing high levels of flooding, prompting authorities to issue alerts advising citizens to stay away from river banks.
Police sources have reported that hilltops in Muzaffarabad and Poonch Division are blanketed with snow, leading to landslides and road blockages in various areas. Dozens of houses have been evacuated in landslide-prone areas, and one house collapsed on the outskirts of Muzaffarabad, though the family was rescued before the incident.
In response to the situation, the SDMA of AJK has instructed district administrations, police, and tourism departments to restrict tourist visits to mountainous areas. The National Highway Authority (NHA) and Public Works Department (PWD) have deployed staff and heavy machinery to clear important highways and link roads, including the Neelum Jhelum Highway and Muzaffarabad Kohala Highway, to ensure smooth traffic flow between Rawalpindi and Muzaffarabad, as well as between Bagh, Rawalakot, and Muzaffarabad districts. However, the Lohaarghali road linking Muzaffarabad to Mansehra remains closed due to ongoing landslides. The DSMA has issued alerts to the transport authority to ensure route safety in light of intermittent rains, aiming to prevent any potential incidents.
