Vehicles wait for the snow-covered roads to open in Murree. PHOTO: AGENCIES
ISLAMABAD: The first snowfall of winter has left scores of tourists stranded in the Murree and Galiyat areas.
While the whitewash brought joys to many savouring the weather, others were left complaining about the inadequacies of the government and city authorities and the misery brought on by nature.
Ill-prepared for the weather, some people were left without food and fuel in the tourist resorts, while many were on the roads waiting for rescue.
Snowfall comes early to Chitral
The snowfall, which started on Monday, continued on Wednesday intermittently, giving a scenic look to tourist destinations such as Nathiagali, Pir Chinasi, Rawalakot, Shangla, and Galyat. However, civic amenities in these areas have yet to match the modern demands of the visitors.
With over three feet of snow and more coming, connecting roads of the areas were blocked, restricting the movement of people.
Roads to Deosai of Skardu were also blocked, cutting off the tourist spot from the adjoining areas. People at the Lowari Top and Shangla were stranded as well.
However, the most easily accessible hill station, Murree, was witnessing an unabated flow of tourists. People were seen frolicking on Murree’s Mall Road to enjoy the snowfall. Shops and restaurants were bustling with customers and families enjoying coffee and hot chocolate in the snow till late at night.
An official of Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) said: “Thousands of tourists thronged to see the first snowfall of the current winter season at Pindi Point, Kashmir Point, the Mall and Ayubia.”
He said Murree’s adjoining areas like Galiyat, Bhurban, Ayubia and Nathiagali were also expected to see a large influx of visitors next week due to the snowfall.
He said that all restaurants were packed with tourists even as the mercury plunged below freezing point.
Hina Khan, a tourist from Rawalpindi, said: “I was delighted to see snowfall as I had never seen it in my life.”
Nisar Ahmed, a visitor to Murree said: “We have enjoyed a lot. We were throwing snowballs at our friends. Murree is a beautiful place and we are happy to be here,” he said.
Traffic plan
The Rawalpindi traffic police, like every year, has banned entry of heavy vehicles in and around Murree as part of arrangements to regulate traffic during tourist rush.
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According to City Traffic Officer (CTO) Yousaf Ali Shahid, the traffic police have devised a plan for Murree for the snowfall season according to which entry of heavy vehicles in the city has been banned.
The CTO urged the tourists to avoid CNG powered vehicles. People heading to Murree or other hill stations during snowfall were advised to use only petrol and diesel powered vehicles which were mechanically fit.
He also asked the people to slightly deflate tires while treading on slippery snow-covered mountainous roads.
The CTO said that several points have also been reserved for car parking. Different main roads including Kashmir Point, Mall Road, Guldana Road and others have been closed for two-way traffic, he said, adding the tourists should cooperate with traffic police so that traffic mess, particularly during snowfall, could be avoided.
He said though the snow falling makes the ‘Queen of Mountains’ even more beautiful which attracts the citizens but due to the massive influx of the tourists, problems are also faced at some points. Movement of traffic remains slow as the wet roads got slippery.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 14th, 2017.
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