Babusar Top has closed once more. Fresh snowfall overnight forced authorities to shut the high mountain pass that links Mansehra with Gilgit-Baltistan. The timing couldn’t be worse — Eid travel is just around the corner.
Officials from the National Highway Authority said about 1.5 feet of new snow fell between Gatti Das and Babusar Top. Temperatures dropped below freezing, and more snow is expected. With ice and poor visibility, the road is too risky for traffic right now. Snow-clearing machines are working on the ground, but progress is slow.
This keeps happening. Babusar Top only stays open from June to late October, and even then the weather calls the shots. One day it’s clear, the next day snow shuts it down. For families planning Eid trips to Hunza or Skardu, it means delays and longer routes.
What’s the alternate route
With Babusar closed, Karakoram Highway through Chilas is the only option to reach Gilgit-Baltistan. From Mansehra that adds 3-4 extra hours, and Eid traffic will make it worse. Transporters and hotel owners near Chilas and Battakundi are already getting cancellation calls. “People book, then cancel as soon as they hear Babusar is closed,” one hotel owner told us.
Police have set up checkpoints at Naran to stop vehicles from trying the pass. The Met Office says scattered snowfall could continue for the next 48 hours. NHA says the road will only reopen after a full safety check.
If you have to take KKH, carry snow chains, extra fuel, and warm clothes. Avoid night driving.
Final Thought
It’s frustrating to see Babusar close right before Eid, but mountain weather doesn’t follow a calendar. When fog and snow cut visibility to zero, no destination is worth the risk. If your Eid plans include the north, build a buffer day into your schedule and keep checking NHA updates. The pass will open, but only when it’s safe.
Waiting a day is better than getting stuck for hours in freezing conditions. Tune into local radio 1070 or check NHA’s official page before you leave Mansehra. Drive safe, and Eid Mubarak in advance to everyone heading north.
Brick is a professional content writer specializing in informational and research-based articles. He focuses on creating accurate, well-structured, and reader-friendly content designed to inform users and support search engine visibility.
