The Babusar Top Road has been reopened to traffic after remaining closed for three days due to heavy snowfall, bringing relief to tourists and residents of Gilgit-Baltistan. According to details, the National Highway Authority (NHA) cleared the accumulated snow, restoring road access from both the Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa sides.
Police said the road would remain open to all types of traffic until 4:00 pm. However, due to adverse weather conditions and dense fog, it will be closed to all traffic after 4:00 pm for safety reasons. The reopening will allow travellers to resume their journeys through the scenic mountain region.
However, tourists and other commuters have been advised to plan their trips according to the announced timings and remain cautious due to changing weather conditions. Babusar Top is a popular tourist destination known for its snow-covered mountains and spectacular natural scenery.
On the other hand, two men were killed yesterday when a landslide struck their vehicle on the Karakoram Highway in Gilgit-Baltistan, as intermittent rain and snowfall disrupted daily life and blocked several roads connecting remote areas.
Police identified the victims as Arif Hussain and Kashif Ali, residents of Gulmat village in Nagar district. They were travelling along the highway early Thursday when a falling rock hit their vehicle near the landslide-prone Pissan section. Both men sustained critical injuries and were taken to a nearby government hospital, where doctors pronounced them dead.
According to the local administration, heavy rain triggered landslides at several locations in Nagar district on Wednesday and Thursday, raising concerns about travel safety in the mountainous region. A spokesperson for Gilgit-Baltistan Police said heavy rain was continuing in Nagar district, causing landslides at multiple points along the Karakoram Highway. However, the highway remained open to traffic. The police advised the public to contact the police helpline at 15 to obtain the latest information about road conditions before travelling.