Over 80 killed in avalanches in Pakistan

Islamabad, January 14

Avalanches and landslides, triggered by heavy snowfall and incessant rain across Pakistan, have left over 80 persons, including women and children, dead and over 40 injured, media reports said on Tuesday.

Harsh weather conditions for the past three days have brought life to a halt, snapping transport and communication services.

As many as 84 persons have died across the country after a severe cold wave brought life to a standstill in numerous areas, officials said on Tuesday.

At least, 57 persons were killed and many others reported missing after avalanches hit Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in the last 24 hours, a senior government official said.

In Balochistan, 17 persons were killed in rain and snowfall-related incidents. According to the National Disaster Management Authority, 41 persons were injured, while 35 houses destroyed due to inclement weather conditions. Hundreds of passengers, including women and children, were stuck in harsh weather on Monday as a massive snowstorm wreaked havoc on different parts of Balochistan. On Monday, the media reports said at least, 14 persons, including women and children, were killed and over a dozen injured in several parts of Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest province. Relief, Disaster and Civil Defence Secretary Syed Shahid Mohyiddin Qadri said heavy snowfall and rain had blocked several roads in the high-altitude areas. Due to heavy snowfall on Khojak Top, the communication lines between Ziarat and Quetta have been affected. The Quetta-Chaman highway was also closed for traffic, he said.

In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the Karakoram highway was closed due to landslides in the Pattan area of lower Kohistan, while Chitral district was cut off, he said. — PTI