Babusar Top Route Closed After Fresh Snowfall

Fresh snowfall has stopped traffic between Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan through Babusar Top, leaving only the route up to Naran open for now.

District Police Officer Mohammad Waqas Khan said traffic has been restricted beyond Bassal toward the upper parts of Kaghan Valley and Diamer because the Mansehra-Naran-Jalkhad (MNJ) Road has become slippery and dangerous. The latest update matters most for tourists and families planning a trip north, since access to Naran does not mean the full Babusar route is safe to use.

Snow began on Tuesday night in the higher areas of Kaghan Valley, including Saiful Muluk Lake, Lulusar Lake, Battakundi, Bassal and Babusar Top. It continued at intervals on Wednesday, adding to difficult travel conditions on the mountain road.

For now, visitors can still reach Naran, but police have not allowed traffic to move further up the valley. That means drivers heading toward Babusar Top, Chilas or Gilgit-Baltistan should not continue past the restricted point. If you are planning a winter trip, it is important to check the latest police advice before leaving home.

The restriction is being treated as a safety step, not a permanent shutdown. However, the situation can change fast when snowfall keeps coming. Khan warned that if snow continues, the MNJ Road could remain blocked until next summer. That would leave the upper valley cut off for the winter season.

Residents of upper Kaghan Valley have already started shifting to lower parts of Mansehra and other areas of Hazara Division for the winter. Local people expect this move to finish within 10 to 15 days. After that, the upper valley is likely to stay closed until May.

This is a familiar pattern for Babusar Top, which serves as a summer link between Kaghan Valley and Gilgit-Baltistan but becomes risky in winter because of snow, slippery roads and poor visibility. Travel plans in this region should stay flexible, especially when snowfall is active.

For readers who may be comparing route conditions in northern Pakistan, similar sudden closures have also affected other roads this season. You can see past coverage of local traffic disruptions in our reports on Islamabad Road Closed for Kashmir Chowk Underpass and M4 Motorway Closed to Heavy Traffic Due to Fog.

What drivers should keep in mind

• Do not plan a through journey from KP to Gilgit-Baltistan via Babusar Top until reopening is confirmed.

• Treat the road beyond Bassal as restricted and hazardous.

• Recheck official police updates before travelling to Naran or nearby high-altitude areas.

• Expect weather to change quickly in the upper Kaghan Valley.

Travellers should postpone any Babusar crossing for now and confirm the latest road status before departure. Naran remains open at present, but upper valley conditions can change without warning.

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