SWAT, March 31: More than 35 tourists were rescued after a glacier collapse blocked the Mahodand Road in Swat, trapping multiple vehicles and leaving visitors stranded in harsh weather conditions, officials said.

The incident occurred near a waterfall point on the route to Mahodand Lake, where a massive glacier fell onto the road, completely cutting off access and halting traffic for several hours.

According to authorities, over 15 vehicles carrying tourists were stranded due to the blockage. Videos shared on social media showed tourists seeking urgent help as temperatures dropped and conditions worsened.

Also Read: Blast near ANP leader’s residence in Swat, no casualties reported

The Upper Swat Development Authority (USDA) initiated a rescue and clearance operation, deploying heavy machinery to remove the glacier debris. Teams from the district administration, Swat police, tourism police, and Rescue 1122 participated in the effort.

Spokesperson Saeed Ur Rahman said the road was cleared after nearly five hours of continuous work, and all stranded tourists were safely relocated to secure areas.

Following the incident, the Assistant Commissioner of Bahrain visited the site and declared several areas as red zones due to the risk of landslides and visible cracks in the mountains.

Authorities have advised tourists and local residents to avoid unnecessary travel during adverse weather and to follow official safety guidelines to prevent further incidents.