Snowfall Shuts Down Key Route Between KP and Gilgit-Baltistan

Snowfall has caused the closure of a major route connecting Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) with Gilgit-Baltistan, according to reports. The Babusar Top pass, which serves as the main link, has been rendered impassable due to heavy snowfall in the Kaghan Valley. District Police Officer Mohammad Waqas Khan reported that police have restricted traffic beyond Bassal towards the upper reaches of the Kaghan Valley and the neighboring Diamer district, citing the increased danger posed by the slippery MNJ Road.

The snowfall started on Tuesday night, affecting high-altitude areas such as Saiful Muluk Lake, Lulusar Lake, Battakundi, Bassal, and Babusar Top. While the road remains open up to Naran, tourist visits have been significantly reduced. Police have not yet announced the closure of their posts in the upper valley, but they have expressed concern that ongoing snowfall could keep the MNJ Road closed until next summer, effectively suspending travel between KP and Gilgit-Baltistan for the winter season.

In response to the situation, residents of the upper Kaghan Valley have begun migrating to lower parts of Mansehra and other areas within the Hazara Division, seeking refuge from the harsh winter conditions. Local estimates suggest that this migration process is likely to conclude within 10 to 15 days. Afterward, the upper valley is expected to remain inaccessible until May.