MANSEHRA / BALAKOT: The district administration has cancelled four festivals scheduled to be held in Kaghan Valley from July 25 to 29 in view of the prevailing flood situation and risk of cloudbursts.
Assistant Commissioner Balakot, Hasrat Khan, said the decision was taken to cancel the Education Learning and Grooming Festivals due to the imminent threat of cloudbursts and flash floods in the valley.
According to the AC, around 12,000 students from across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were scheduled to participate in the programs, which were to be held at Mahandri, Jarid, Naran and Kaghan.
“The lives of students cannot be put at risk,” Hasrat Khan said, adding that the safety of children and participants was the top priority of the administration.
He further said that the situation in the mountainous region remains highly unpredictable. Referring to recent video footage from the valley, he noted that despite completely clear weather, a sudden flow of mud and rocks swept through at lightning speed, forcing tourists to flee to save their lives.
The Assistant Commissioner has urged tourists to avoid unnecessary travel to Kaghan Valley and to strictly follow the instructions issued by the district administration for their own safety.
