Entry of tourists in Murree banned after snowfall rush
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The authorities have banned the entry of more tourists in Murree after thousands of visitors caused a traffic mess at the hill station following heavy snowfall, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Thursday.
The power outage and lack of machinery to remove snow from the roads aggravated the woes of the tourists in Murree.
ملکہ کوہسار مری
— Pakistan Tourism (@PakistanJannatt) January 31, 2024
مری برفباری میں سیاح لطف اندوز ہوتے ہوئے pic.twitter.com/J6O4hJoFj9
Owing to long lines of tourists’ vehicles which could be seen on the roads linking Rawalpindi-Islamabad to the hilly spots in Murree and around, the Islamabad Deputy Commissioner issued the order to restrict further entry of the tourists into the hill station.
Murree Mall Road 🇵🇰 pic.twitter.com/TSDge5nOX3
— PakistanTravelGuide (@PakTravelGuide) January 31, 2024
Police said a number of main roads including Kashmir Point, Mall Road, Guldana Road and other arteries have been closed for two-way traffic to ease traffic flow. A special traffic control room had been set up to help the citizens round the clock.
https://twitter.com/search?q=murree&src=typed_query
In a post on X platform, the deputy commissioner said the Islamabad administration has taken an important decision of banning entry of tourists into Murree from 17 miles due to snowfall.
He said Murree already has a large number of tourists at this time. “The decision was taken after consultation with Murree management. Tourists will be allowed to enter Murree once the rush subsides,” the DC added.
مری میں برفباری کی وجہ سے اسلام آباد انتظامیہ کا اہم فیصلہ
— DC Islamabad (@dcislamabad) January 31, 2024
17 میل سے مری میں سیاحوں کا داخلہ بند کر دیا گیا
مری میں اس وقت پہلے سے ہی سیاحوں کی ایک بڑی تعداد موجود ہے
فیصلہ مری انتظامیہ کے ساتھ مشاورت کے بعد کیا گیا،
مری میں رش کم ہونے پر سیاحوں کو داخلے کی اجازت دے دی جائے گی
Amid snowfall in Murree, the preparations of the civil administration especially highways and WAPDA departments were exposed again as thousands of tourists thronged the hill station.
Traffic chaos was witnessed at Murree’s main roads and arteries because the preparations to remove snow from roads and highways were very slow.
The administration’s old vehicles were unable to remove the snow and many vehicles were seen out of order at road sides.
Awesome last night in murree #Murree pic.twitter.com/bC5kCQ5BIw
— Tariq Sheikh (@tariqsheikh4122) February 1, 2024
The tourists were seen pushing their vehicles themselves. The vehicle with chains were seen on the roads. The families having tyres of their vehicles chained were finding it easy to commute.
The Tourism Department’s Guide Force was not available anywhere to help ease the tourists’ woes.
آو دنیا کو دکھائیں ایسا ہے ہمارا پاکستان
— Pakistan Tourism (@PakistanJannatt) February 1, 2024
کالام میں واقع اوشو جنگل جسے کالام جنگل بھی کہا جاتا ہے
سیاح برفباری سے لطف اندوز ہو رہے ہیں pic.twitter.com/RAP0dUIMhM
The snowfall and rain is predicted for next 24 hours also. The tourists not following traffic advisory were seen disturbed.
Wapda official were also not seen at the site as power outages also aggravated the problems of the commuters and tourists. The Wapda officials were not attending phone calls and people were complaining of prolonged loadshedding.
🇵🇰 Army helping in rescue op during snow fall at Murree pic.twitter.com/io95tzBjy1
— Javed Iqbal (@javedeqbalpk1) February 1, 2024
Heavy rain lashes Lahore, other cities
Meanwhile, rain accompanied with cold winds and thunderstorm lashed Lahore and several other cities of Punjab in the wee hours of Thursday.
The downpour in different areas vanished smog and fog; however, rain inundated roads and streets in the provincial capital of Lahore.
Towards Nathiagalli#Murree#Nathiagali pic.twitter.com/3gy1gglbrN
— Pakistan Tourism (@PakistanJannatt) January 31, 2024
Dozens of LESCO feeders tripped due to heavy rain and strong wind in the city, resulting in power outage in various areas. Rain was also reported in Faisalabad, Gujrat, Muridke, Sangla Hill, Toba Tek Singh, Dinga, Khushab, Joharabad, Kharian and their adjoining areas.
https://twitter.com/search?q=murree&src=typed_query
According to Met department, rain-wind/thunderstorm besides snowfall was expected in Gilgit Baltistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Kashmir, Islamabad, Pothohar region and upper Punjab during the next 24 hours.
🛑 Heavy hail storm at #Rawalpindi, streets covered in white blanket 🌨️ pic.twitter.com/SLDXdbZShV
— PakWeather.com (@Pak_Weather) January 31, 2024
Reporter Haider Ali