A snow avalanche on Tuesday claimed the lives of three residents from the upper region of Neelum Valley, following severe snowfall that has heavily impacted the northern parts of the country.
According to local officials, the avalanche struck the Dodgai area of Neelum Valley, tragically burying three young men. Despite relentless efforts by the community, their bodies have not yet been recovered.
Akhtar Ayub, head of the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), stated that ongoing snowfall has hindered rescue operations. “We are facing immense difficulties due to the absence of mobile signals in the affected region,” he explained.
In other parts of Neelum Valley, Grace Valley has seen over a foot of snow, while Sardari, Urang Kel, and Sargan Jagran have also reported significant snowfall. The heavy snow has resulted in the closure of numerous connecting roads in Neelum and Leepa valleys, isolating remote settlements.
Meanwhile, the Meteorological Office reported a strong westerly wave affecting most upper and central regions of the country, which is expected to persist in the upper areas over the next two to three days.
On Wednesday, widespread rain, wind, and thunderstorms (with snowfall over the hills) are anticipated in upper Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan. Heavy snowfall in northern areas is likely at a few locations during this period.
Moreover, isolated places in southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, northeastern Balochistan, and northeastern and central Punjab, as well as Islamabad, may experience rain, wind, thunderstorms, and isolated hailstorms.
