Snowfall Blocks Road to Babusar Top
Heavy snowfall has blocked the road to Babusar Top in the Naran Valley, cutting traffic in the upper Kaghan Valley as the first snowfall of the winter season reaches Pakistan’s northern mountains.
Snow fell from Baiser to Babusar Top, covering the surrounding mountains and closing the road. The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast more rain and snowfall across the country’s upper regions this week.
The forecast covers November 10 to 14, with snowfall expected over higher elevations in upper Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir. Rain and thunderstorms are also expected in several regions, including the federal capital.
What Babusar Top is
Babusar Top is a high mountain pass at 4,173 metres above sea level, at the northern end of the Kaghan Valley in Mansehra district. It links the valley with Chilas in Gilgit-Baltistan, joining the Karakoram Highway.
The pass is one of the highest points in Pakistan that cars can reach. It is open only in the warm months, usually from June to September or October, and closes in winter when heavy snow buries the road.
This week’s snowfall fits that pattern. The pass normally shuts for the season in late October or early November, and stays closed until the snow clears in early summer.
Why the closure matters
The Babusar road is the short route between Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan. When it closes, travellers must use the longer Karakoram Highway route through Abbottabad and Mansehra, or wait for the pass to reopen.
The closure also marks the end of the tourist season in the upper Kaghan Valley. Hotels and shops in Naran wind down as the cold sets in, and the valley’s economy slows until summer returns.
The pass also carries the Naran-Babusar road, which shortens the journey between Mansehra and Gilgit-Baltistan by several hours compared with the Karakoram Highway. For truckers and traders, the closure means longer routes and higher fuel costs until the pass reopens in summer.
The wider weather picture
The PMD expects rain and thunderstorms in several regions this week, including the federal capital. The system is the first of the winter season in the northern mountains, and it will bring snow to the higher elevations of upper K-P, Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir until November 14.
For Naran and the Kaghan Valley, the snow marks the turn of the season. The valley’s hotels and guest houses usually close or cut back as winter sets in, and traffic on the valley road drops sharply once the pass shuts.
For now, the PMD has advised travellers to check conditions before setting out. Galiyat saw its first snowfall of the season last month, and rain and snow have already reached northern Pakistan this month. Our Kaghan Valley travel guide covers the route and its stops, while Murree has a winter safety plan for the cold months.
What happens next
The snowfall is expected to continue over the higher elevations until November 14. Road crews will clear the lower stretches of the Kaghan Valley road, but the pass itself will stay shut for the winter.
Travellers heading north should plan for the Karakoram Highway route instead, and check the PMD forecast before travelling.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Babusar Top?
Babusar Top is a mountain pass at 4,173 metres above sea level, at the northern end of the Kaghan Valley in Mansehra district. It links Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa with Chilas in Gilgit-Baltistan.
Why is the road to Babusar Top blocked?
Heavy snowfall from Baiser to Babusar Top has covered the road and the surrounding mountains, blocking traffic in the upper Kaghan Valley.
When does Babusar Top close for winter?
The pass usually closes in late October or early November and stays shut through winter, reopening in June when the snow clears.
What has the PMD forecast?
The PMD has forecast rain and snowfall across the upper regions from November 10 to 14, with snow over higher elevations in upper K-P, Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir.
What route should travellers use instead?
With Babusar Top closed, travellers between K-P and Gilgit-Baltistan should use the Karakoram Highway route and check road conditions before setting out.
