GILGIT: Two brothers lost their lives and two others injured when a massive landslide struck two vehicles on the Karakoram Highway in the Lootar area of Upper Kohistan district here on Saturday.
According to a Rescue 1122 official, an oil tanker and a pickup truck were en route to Dassu from Gilgit-Baltistan when heavy rainfall triggered a landslide, hitting them near Lootar. The oil tanker’s driver and his assistant died instantly, while two individuals travelling in the pickup truck were injured.
The deceased were identified as 34-year-old Sahibzada and 33-year-old Islamzada, both brothers from Besham. Their bodies, along with the injured, were transported to District Headquarters Hospital (DHQ), Dassu.
The landslide once again blocked the Karakoram Highway, which had only reopened for one-way traffic on Friday after a two-day closure.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecasted that a westerly weather system is expected to enter the western parts of the country on March 2. Under its influence, rain accompanied by wind and thunderstorms, along with snowfall in hilly areas, is predicted across Punjab, Islamabad, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Kashmir.
The PMD warned that moderate to heavy snowfall may lead to road closures and slippery conditions in Murree, Galliyat, Naran, Kaghan, Chitral, Dir, Swat, Kohistan, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Shangla, Astore, Hunza, Skardu, Neelum Valley, Bagh, Poonch, and Haveli.
Additionally, landslides could occur in the mountainous regions of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Kashmir during this period.
Tourists and travellers heading to these areas have been advised to exercise caution, while authorities have been urged to stay vigilant and take preventive measures to avoid any untoward incidents.
Read also: Severe cold grips Hazara as rain, snowfall continue
