Tourists cautioned by authorities before heading towards Murree
Temperature dropped to 11°C here on Thursday after the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi received heavy rain and winds. The city that was already under a spell of cold experienced colder conditions after Thursday rains. In Islamabad, citizens thronged the restaurants and coffee shops to enjoy the freezing temperature in the cozy atmosphere of the eateries. Likewise, in the garrison city, Saddar and Commercial market were the top public-visited points where families enjoyed ‘Kashmiri Chay’ (tea), soup and hot ‘gulab jaman’ to enjoy themselves the weather and to keep the cold off.
Meanwhile, in Murree and the norther parts of the country, snowfall and heavy winds were reported alluring the tourists to head towards those areas to enjoy the snowfall. Murree’s Traffic Police and authorities have closed the Expressway after seeing a flux of the tourists intending to visit the district.
Provincial Minister for Communications Malik Sohaib Ahmed Bharth visited Murree to review arrangements and chaired a meeting with the district administration. Officials briefed the minister on preparations for snowfall, road clearance, and potential landslides.
During the briefing, authorities stated that snowfall and rain are forecast for Thursday and Friday, with an expected accumulation of 12 to 20 inches of snow.
The provincial minister directed officials to complete the identification of sensitive roads and critical points and to ensure continuous monitoring of vehicles entering Murree. He emphasized that an immediate response must be ensured in case of any emergency. He inspected several roads in Murree and visited salt camps and tourist facilitation centers. He also reviewed snow-clearing and road-clearing machinery operated by the mechanical wing. A senior official of the police as advised the tourists to follow safety measures and take necessary steps before heading to Murree. To manage the anticipated increase in tourist traffic, the City Traffic Police has implemented several measures to prevent congestion.
Around 200 traffic wardens have been deployed to handle the expected volume of vehicles and maintain a smooth flow of traffic. As snowy weather is at its peak, it’s crucial to prepare both yourself and your vehicle for safe travel. The police and administration have advised the tourists to ensure their car has essential cold-weather gear like food, water, warm clothing, a scraper, blankets, medications, and a flashlight.
They also asked them to check tire pressure, bring an extra tire, and use winter fluid for wipers. Keep your fuel tank half-full, and ensure your headlights are functioning. It is important to avoid unnecessary travel in extreme conditions and drive slowly for better traction and control as well as maintain a safe distance (5-6 seconds) and avoid full stops when possible.
