Hundreds of thousands of people remained stranded for the third consecutive day on Sunday in Circle Bakote of Galiyat after heavy snowfall, where the power system and road network have been completely disrupted, while official resources are reportedly focused on facilitating tourists on the main Abbottabad-Murree highway.
The heavy snowfall has made all routes to Nathiagali and Abbottabad impassable, cutting off the district’s upper areas. Residents are forced to restore electricity on a self-help basis amidst widespread power outages.
Due to the prolonged disconnection, the local population is forced to undertake arduous journeys, walking several kilometers through deep snow to purchase daily necessities, which they have to carry back on their shoulders.
Several major highways, including the Nathiagali-Bakote Road, Ayubia-Khanpur-Riala Road, and Sawar Gali-Boi-Malkot Road, are closed. Other affected roads include the Barian-Sair Road, which connects Galiyat to Tehsil Lora, effectively isolating the entire region.
Frustration is growing among the residents, who have criticized the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and federal governments for their complete failure to provide relief. The local political leadership is also reportedly absent from the area.
The weather-induced crisis has exacerbated the pre-existing hardships of the mountain communities of Circle Bakote, who already face a lack of basic government facilities like hospitals and schools. The snowfall has now made basic mobility a major challenge.