MIRPUR-AJK: Torrential rains and heavy snowfall wreaked havoc in various parts of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) on Thursday.
The upper regions, particularly the Neelam and Leepa valleys, have been severely affected, enduring the heaviest snowfall of the season for the 5th consecutive day.
The adverse weather conditions have led to the suspension of vehicular traffic in the snow-clad Leepa and Neelam valleys, as well as the Mahmood Galli – Abbaspur road in the Poonch division.
Authorities said that multiple sections of these routes had been rendered impassable due to the heavy snowfall. The electricity breakdown has further exacerbated the situation in the snow-covered area, disrupting daily life for the 5th day in a row.
The heavy snowfall shows no signs of abating, intensifying the challenges faced by the affected valleys. The upper reaches of the Leepa and Neelam valleys, along with several areas of the mountainous state metropolis and Bagh districts, have been severely impacted by the first heavy intermittent snowfall and rains of the season.
The much-predicted heavy rainfall finally arrived in different parts of AJK, including the state’s metropolis Muzaffarabad and Mirpur districts, on Wednesday night.
Reports have also emerged of disconnections in different snow-clad upper reaches of the Bagh district due to landslides triggered by heavy rains, especially in Sudhan Galli.
Heavy Snowfall in Mirpur
Mirpur, on the other hand, witnessed heavy downpours for the second consecutive day on Wednesday, accompanied by intermittent wind storms.
The laborers engaged in the construction are also considered to be the most affected community due to the heavy rainfall, which continued intermittently in other parts of AJK.
More rains and snowfall on the upper reaches of AJK are likely during the next 24 hours, according to experts.
