CHITRAL, Jan 29, 2010: Heavy snowfall on Friday disrupted traffic, power and telephone systems while PIA flights to the district were also cancelled.

Parts of Chitral received over one foot snow as a result power supply was disrupted and life came to a halt. Roads remained closed for vehicular traffic. The heavy snowfall on Lowari Top cut off the district from the national grid causing disconnection of power supply.

Vehicular traffic to Peshawar via Lowari tunnel also remained suspended due to the snowfall. PIA flights from Islamabad and Peshawar were cancelled consecutively for five days due to inclement weather. Offices and bazaars in Chitral wore a deserted look as people were confined to their houses. The direct dialling system of telephones also remained suspended for over ten hours.

Meanwhile, an official of the Pesco said that it could take a week to reinstate power supply to the district as no work was possible in Lowari Top area to repair the electric poles immediately.--Zahiruddin