Shabir Khan, the Director General of the Kaghan Development Authority (KDA), underscored the imperative of avoiding construction in avalanche-prone areas following the devastating collapse of two glaciers in Naran, resulting in the burial of hotels and houses under snowslides.
Addressing reporters in the renowned tourist resort nestled in the Mansehra district of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Khan expressed the intention to consult village elders, locally referred to as amaideen, renowned for their knowledge of such occurrences. Their insights, he believes, will be instrumental in mitigating future losses for investors.
Khan’s statement resonates in the aftermath of a widely circulated video on social media depicting the aftermath of the catastrophe, with numerous establishments engulfed by snow, ice, and debris. Naran, situated in the upper Kaghan Valley, stands as a cherished tourist destination both domestically and internationally. However, accessibility to Naran is typically curtailed from November until April or May due to heavy snowfall.
Khan suggests utilizing modern technologies like Google mapping to promote construction in safer areas and integrate such strategies into the long-term planning endeavors of KDA.
The primary areas affected by the calamity were Chapra Naran and Gamla Jheel Road, where locals reported significant damage to numerous buildings. Approximately 70 hotels are located in the vicinity of Gamla Jheel Road. Khan assured affected parties that compensation would be dispensed following comprehensive assessments of the losses sustained.
Despite the frequency of snow-related incidents in the region, no casualties were reported in the recent avalanche. Khan affirmed that rescue operations, facilitated by KDA machinery, would commence upon clearance of the roads. Furthermore, a committee has been established to conduct evaluations and estimate the extent of losses incurred by investors, signaling a proactive response to the crisis.
