ISLAMABAD -Death toll rises drastically across Pakistan from heavy snowfalland avalanches.
Unprecedented snowfall, avalanches, and landslides have resulted in thedeaths of more than 100 people all over Pakistan, several media outletshave confirmed. Most of the weather-related deaths occurred in Neelumvalley in Azad Jammu Kashmir (AJK) and Balochistan.
According to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), 75 peoplehave been confirmed dead in AJK; 69 died in Neelum Valley while 2 each inKotli, Rawalakot, and Sudhanoti districts. NDMA officials said that most ofthe deaths resulted from avalanche strikes.——————————
Initial assessment of NDMA revealed that 52 houses were razed to the groundwhile 82 sustained minor damage in the Neelum Valley. Moreover, 17 shops, 1mosque, 7 cars, and 3 motorcycles were swept away in the avalanche.
Deputy Commissioner Neelum Valley, Raja Mahmood Shahid, said that 46citizens perished when an avalanche hit a remote village in the Surgan andBakwali area of Neelum valley. The snow demolished more than 2 dozenhouses. The rescue operation is still underway in the snow ravaged villageas DC Neelum Valley fears the death toll to rise.
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Meanwhile, in Balochistan, 31 people died in weather-related incidents,according to NDMA officials. NDMA evacuated more than 500 people from KanMahatrzai, Ziarat, Toba Achakzai, Toba Kakri, and Rood Mullazai areas ofBalochistan.——————————
Moreover, major highways connecting Pakistan to Afghanistan and Iran havebeen clogged due to heavy snow, temporarily suspending trade between thethree countries.
Pakistan army, in collaboration with the district administrations, isconducting rescue and relief operations in areas affected by snowfall andavalanches. Contingents of the army aviation are busy in evacuatingstranded citizens by helicopters.
