Heaviest Snowfall Cuts Off Upper Areas of AJK

News Desk

Mirpur: The upper reaches of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), including Neelam and Leepa valleys, experienced the season’s first heavy snowfall on Thursday, disrupting life and severing land routes in several mountainous areas, official sources confirmed.

The much-anticipated snowfall, accompanied by intermittent heavy rainfall, lashed parts of AJK, including the state capital Muzaffarabad. Routine life was disrupted as snow and rain brought challenges to residents.

In the Neelam and Leepa valleys, major areas, including Keil, were cut off due to landslides triggered by heavy rains at Sudhangalli. The blocked land routes have isolated these regions, leaving residents in difficult conditions.

Meanwhile, Muzaffarabad experienced a continuous downpour, coupled with mild windstorms, starting in the early hours of Thursday. The weather affected essential services, including electricity, roads, and telecommunication networks, further complicating conditions in the snow-hit areas.

Authorities are monitoring the situation, but recovery and relief operations remain hampered by adverse weather and blocked access routes.