Murree snowfall leaves tourists stranded

RAWALPINDI: Heavy snowfall in Murree has left several tourists stranded for hours on the roads due to the weather conditions.

With over ten inches of snowfall in the past day, Murree’s roads have become treacherous, causing traffic jams and car breakdowns.

Several vehicles got stuck in the extreme traffic jam on Murree Expressway and Lower Topa to Sahar Bagla highway after snowfall of up to one and a half feet in Murree and Galiyat.

Tourists stuck in traffic jam for several hours during heavy snowfall appealed for emergency measures on Murree Expressway and Srinagar Highway.

The National Highway Authority and local authorities are working to clear the roads, but the intermittent snowfall poses challenges.

The situation is compounded by power outages and escalating hotel prices, adding to the difficulties faced by tourists.

The Relief Commissioner Punjab is coordinating efforts to clear the roads, while Islamabad authorities have restricted access to Murree for efficient traffic management.

MORE SNOW PREDCITED FOR MURREE AND GALIAT

The spokesperson of Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) says that rain and snowfall will continue in Murree today, it is the responsibility of the administration to provide facilities to tourists.

Deputy Commissioner (DC) Islamabad stated that the entry of more tourists from 17 miles to Murree has also been prohibited.

Moreover, tourists have been warned about the risk of landslides in the upper parts of the region due to heavy rain and snowfall.

The Chief Commissioner of Islamabad has issued a letter to the Deputy Commissioner, Senior Superintendent of Police Operations, and Chief Traffic Officer, emphasizing the need for immediate action in light of the heavy snowfall forecasted in Murree until February 4.

With a significant influx of tourists from across the country heading towards Murree, the letter underscores the importance of taking proactive measures to address any potential emergency situations. Specifically, it calls for ensuring the smooth flow of traffic from Islamabad to Murree and urges the formulation of a collaborative strategy involving the administrations of Rawalpindi and Murree.

These directives highlight the urgency of preparedness and coordination among relevant authorities to mitigate the impact of the adverse weather conditions and ensure the safety and well-being of both residents and visitors in Murree.

 The Meteorological Department predicts continued snowfall in the upper areas, with Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan expected to experience cloudy weather, gusty winds, and thundershowers.

In other regions, including Islamabad, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Punjab, there are forecasts of rain, snowfall, and thundershowers, with some areas experiencing fog.

Meanwhile, Balochistan is expected to remain cold and dry during the day, with rain and thundershowers likely in the evening and night in certain districts.

Read more: Heavy rain lashes Islamabad, Rawalpindi