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Galiyat cut off as snowfall continues

ABBOTTABAD: Galiyat have been cut off from the rest of the country as all communication links to the area remained suspended for the third consecutive day.

All major and link roads in Galiyat are reported closed due to heavy snowfall in the area, which continued for the third day on Thursday.

According to reliable sources, gallies in Galiyat have received more than five feet snowfall during the last three days and snow continued to fall in the hilly areas on Thursday.

Residents of Galiyat have been trapped in their houses for the third day running owing to one of the heaviest snowfall in recent times, Abbottabad-Murree road was reported closed for all types of traffic at Batangi, some 17 km from here.

Power supply to Galiyat including Namli Maira, Baragali, Jaster, Kalabagh Air Force sub-base, Nathiagali, Changlagali Ayubia and adjacent villages remained suspended for the last three days. Residents of the area facing hardships due to shortage of daily use items.

Pervaiz, an official at Dungagali police station, told APP by telephone that all communications links except telephone were suspended in the area.

"Life has come to a grinding halt in entire Galiyat," he said. Meanwhile, locals, who travelled to Abbottabad on foot, told newsmen that avalanches and heavy snowfall have closed all link roads from Bagnoter to Barian on main Abbottabad-Murree Road.

Road leading to Thandiani was also reported closed at Kalapani and Thandiani has received five feet of snowfall during last three days.

Two minor road accidents were reported on Abbottabad-Murree Road due to slippery road conditions. Rain in the plains of Abbottabad district continued for the third consecutive day. APP