Babusar Pass Closes Early Due to Heavy Snowfall

After an extensive snowfall, authorities informed a local media outlet that the closure of the Babusar Pass occurred earlier than anticipated. Nonetheless, Deputy Commissioner Diamer Arif Ahmed indicated that this closure might only be temporary.

He emphasized that the pass would reopen if weather conditions improve and the snow clears. It’s worth noting that under normal circumstances, the pass typically remains inaccessible for eight months, spanning from November to June.

The heavy snowfall compelled the local administration to restrict access to the road ahead of the usual schedule. During this time, travelers can opt to use the Karakoram Highway as an alternative route.

Also Read: Here Is Why You Can Not Travel To Babusar Top For The Time Being

“The pass closure is contingent upon weather conditions. It typically shuts down in November following significant snowfall and freezing temperatures,” noted the Deputy Commissioner.

Babusar Top closed for traffic due to heavy snowfall pic.twitter.com/DQBQm3oRFc

— PAMIR TIMES ® (@pamirtimes) October 14, 2023

Commuting from Diamer to Mansehra via the Karakoram Highway extends the journey to 14 hours, compared to the 7-hour route through the Babusar Pass.

Recently, a number of tourists found themselves stranded due to heavy snowfall and were subsequently relocated to Chilas City by local authorities. The extreme -15-degree temperature renders it impractical for police officials to carry out their duties during the night.

Additionally, the absence of security measures and slippery road conditions also contribute to the extended closure of the road. Notably, a tourist from Punjab tragically lost his life in a robbery attempt at the Babusar top. The culprits obstructed the road with heavy stones in an effort to halt vehicles, and when the driver attempted to reverse the car upon spotting danger, the victim, identified as Mohammad Rashid, lost his life when the criminals fired upon the vehicle.