Severe winter spell claims more than 70 lives across Pakistan

Severe winter spell has resulted in extreme cold, snowfall and rain across Pakistan. The death toll due to weather-related accidents have claimed more than 70 lives, says the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) said in an official statement on Tuesday.

More than 29 people are reported to be injured. Death toll feared to rise across the country.

According to NDMA, rains in Balochistan have claimed 15 lives and have injured 11 others. At least 55 deaths and 12 injured have been reported in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

In Neelam valley, at least fifty-seven people have been reported dead in an avalanche. While 10 reported being missing.

As being reported, 42 people were injured and 47 houses have been destroyed in the avalanche. Seventy-eight houses were affected, while seven cars, three motorcycles, and a mosque have been damaged in Neelam valley.

According to NDMA, four injured have been rescued while work is currently underway to rescue the remaining people. The Pakistan Army is also participating in the rescue operation.

A heavy snowfall resulted in closures of many highways, with some parts in the province under six inches of snow.

According to Relief, Disaster and Civil Defence Secretary Syed Shahid Mohyiddin Qadri heavy snowfall and rains had blocked several arteries in high altitude areas.

“Neelum Valley Road, Leepa Valley Road, Chikar-Bagh Road, Bagh-Lasdana Road, Mehmood Galli-Abbaspur Road and Tain Dhalkot Road were all closed for traffic,” he said.