The popular tourist resort of Naran, located in the Mansehra District of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), faced a significant disaster as several houses and hotels were buried under an avalanche caused by the collapse of two glaciers. The incident occurred on Jheel Road in Naran, with the Ghamla and Chapran glaciers contributing to the avalanche, according to officials from the Kaghan Development Authority (KDA).
Naran, situated in the upper Kaghan Valley, is renowned for its natural beauty and is a favorite destination for tourists both locally and internationally, especially during the summer season. However, during the winter months, the area experiences severe cold and road closures due to heavy snowfall.
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The avalanche resulted in the closure of Naran’s Jheel Road, hindering access to the town. Due to the severity of the situation, government agencies faced challenges in gathering verified data on the extent of the losses. To address this, the KDA held an emergency meeting and formed a team to assess the damage.
Muhammad Shabir Khan, Director General of KDA, emphasized the urgency of the situation and stated that an emergency team would be dispatched to Naran to assess the damage and provide recommendations. Once access to the town is restored, efforts will be made to initiate work on repairing the affected areas.
Khan also highlighted the importance of discouraging construction in vulnerable areas prone to glacier-related disasters. He stressed the need for guidance from local elders in Naran, who possess valuable knowledge about such occurrences, to prevent future tragedies.
In the aftermath of the avalanche, the KDA pledged to assist the affected locals in every possible way, underscoring the importance of community support and collaboration in mitigating the impact of natural disasters.
