A key bridge on Karakoram Highway linking Hunza Valley with the rest of the country has been restored.

The existing bridge located at Hassanabad was damaged on May 7 due to a glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) which resulted in high quantum and velocity of water (more than 10,000 cusecs).

The flooding washed away the bridge disconnecting direct access to central and upper Hunza. Due to emergent nature of national importance and to facilitate the commuters, Frontier Works Organisation (FWO) teams were mobilized at the site to re-establish the link at Karakoram Highway (KKH) by installing a temporary steel bridge.

After determined efforts made by the FWO teams, construction of a temporary steel bridge was completed and now it was opened for movement of light and medium traffic.

Reconstruction of permanent bridge will take six to eight months for completion.