Access constraints anticipated in winter

Islamabad: The Logistics Cluster is working to establish a fixed-wing cargo delivery corridor from Chaklala to Skardu to facilitate pre-positioning of relief cargo ahead of winter in northern Pakistan.

Logistics Cluster, an international aid agency in a weekly situation report said that several access constraints are anticipated in different areas of Gilgit Baltistan in winter.

• Areas east of Skardu will be inaccessible.
• Ghanche District may be cut off if the Chatta Plain is blocked, depending on weather.
• Chilas in Diamer District is likely to remain open.
• It will be possible to reach up to the centre of the Darel and Tangir valleys, but not the northern areas.
• Gilgit District is likely to remain open, but landslides and extreme weather may cause sporadic closures.
• Ghizar District is expected to only be open up to the southernmost tip.
• Hunza Valley: Roads are likely to be open up to central Hunza, but Upper Hunza and areas beyond the lake will be inaccessible.

The agency said "in order to facilitate pre-winter deliveries, the Logistics Cluster will establish hubs in key locations to serve isolated areas in KPK and Gilgit-Baltistan. WFP has storage facilities available at various extended delivery points (EDPs) throughout Gilgit-Baltistan, which can be made available to Logistics Cluster participants on request. Mobile storage units (MSUs) can be set up with a storekeeper /tally clerk to provide temporary storage space in new areas, if requested by at least two organisations."