Heavy snowfall: 1,200 tourists stranded in Naran Valley

ISLAMABAD: A great number of tourists were stranded in Naran Valley on Sunday due to a heavy snowstorm blocked the roads.

Shahrah-e-Kaghan was cut from Balakot to Naran and from Naran to Jalkhad, Lake Saiful Muluk and Babusar, as stated locals and police officials.

The sudden and unexpected snowfall of the season commenced on Saturday and continued sporadically for a second consecutive day on Sunday. The prolific spots that attract the most to the tourists – Naran to Babusar Top – got totally blocked for any sort of transportation as it was hit with up to four feet of snow. Subsequently, up to 1,200 tourists, which included women as well as children that were touring form across the country.

Due to the blockage of roads and cutting off from adjacent parts, the stranded tourists ran out of supplies amidst continues snowfall.

The weather got cold Sunday morning as Islamabad, Lahore, Multan and several other major cities of Punjab and KP got under considerable rainfall on Saturday night. In the meantime, as usual weather changes, Gilgit and Chitral mountains began to receiving snowfall.

Meanwhile, Frontier Works Organization (FWO) troops cleared the route from Bhatta Kunddi to Naran and with the help of dozers began clearing roads inside Naran Valley. They also rescued those tourists, which stuck in Bharwai and guided their convey to Naran valley.