Galyat receives record snow

abbottabad — A heavy snowfall on Saturday broke the 35-year-old record in the Galyat region as the hill tract received more than 12 feet of snow during the last 20 days.

The heavy snowfall has left many tourists and hundreds ofresidents stranded in their hotels or houses as most of roads linking Galyat to Murree, Ayubia, Khanpur, Nathiagali and other areas have been blocked either by landslides or snow.

The Galyat region extends on both sides of the Punjab-Khyber Pakhtunkhwa border, between Abbottabad and Murree. It is roughly 50-80km northeast of Islamabad.

The blockade has created a shortage of food, fuel, oil, firewood, medicines and other necessities of life.

Electricity breakdowns are also creating problems for the stranded people as so far neither the Abbottabad district government nor the Galyat Development Authority had taken any measures to address the situation.

Two days ago four tourists were rescued by people in the Kundla area after their cars were buried under a glacier. However, their cars are still buried under the snow.

Similarly landslides have been reported in many areas of Galyat while in one incident a landslide blocked the Charayin road.

People in the Galyat region urged the local government to start clearing roads and ensure supply of food items, fuel and medicines. They have also demanded of the government to declare emergency in the area.

A Galyat Development Authority spokesperson said three Khyber Pakhtunkhwa departments were working to clear snow. He however admitted that there was a confusion over jurisdiction and authority between the local and provincial governments.

He said that a letter had been sent to the provincial government to hand over the task of road clearance to the local government to end the confusion.

Meanwhile, the Met office has forecast a four-day heavy snowfall in Galyat in the next week followed by three more spells of heavy snowfall in February, which need quick action by the local and provincial governments. —