Skardu road blocked due to landslides near Basho Valley

GILGIT BALTISTAN: Heavy snowfall and rains in Gilgit-Baltistan triggered a series of landslides blocking Gilgit-Skardu road near Basho Valley for all kind of traffic.      

According to sources, the road was blocked due to 50 meters of a heavy landslide near Basho Valley. Workers of FWO are removing debris from the roadside to restore traffic. The alternate route via Davsai to Astore is also closed owing to snowfall. 

Meanwhile, the snowfall has also disrupted surface communication between Astore headquarters and upper parts. sources further said that the landslides are so heavy that it would take at least two days to restore the traffic.

Hundreds of vehicles, including passenger coaches, trucks, containers and private cars, were stuck up on both sides of the highway.

Read More: Earthquake: Landslides block Karakoram Highway, disrupt Optic Fiber link

Last year on December 31, aftershocks of the 5.6 magnitude earthquake were continued in Gilgit and adjoining areas.

The tremors also jolted Mingora, Swat and other areas. The people had passed their night in extreme cold weather in open spaces out of fear of the aftershocks.

The earthquake had triggered landslides in the region at various points which blocked strategic Karakoram Highway and other roads. The highway remained blocked near Murtazaabad, Nilt Nagar and Sost after landslides had hit it, the police department of the region had said.