Snow draws tourists to hills

Food, accommodation rates soar at Murree, Ayubia

ISLAMABAD, RAWALPINDI/ AYUBIA:

The first snowfall of the year sent tourists rushing to the mountains with many getting stuck on slippery roads for want of snow-chains for tires.

The Rawalpindi traffic police issued an advisory while the meteorological department issued forecast of more snow on the mountains and rain in the planes.

The federal capital experienced the first rainfall of the year on Sunday. Pakistan Metrological Department has predicted more rains and snowfall on Monday in various parts of the country including Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), and Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B).

Meanwhile, the weather in the capital territory turned chilly after light rain while there was dense fog in many parts of Punjab early in the morning.

The weather turned cold following rains and snow and the temperature was recorded to be five degree Celsius in Murree, three degree Celsius in Balakot, one degree Celsius in Kakul and Astor, -13 degree Celsius in Skardu, -10 degree Celsius in Hunza.

A blanket of snow covered the mountainous areas of Murree, Aybia, Azad Jammu and Kashmir and other tourist destinations.

People from various parts of the country especially Punjab and Islamabad thronged Murree and AJK to catch glimpses of the snow-blanketed hill stations famous for scenic beauty and captivating landscape.

Many motorists stopped their vehicles on the way to take pictures also with snowmen. All restaurants get packed with tourists and the demanded for winter clothes also went up as the mercury were below the freezing point,a local in Murree said.

The snowfall was tempting the visitors to come out of their homes and enjoy this rare beauty despite the bone-chilling winds, said a citizen.

Furthermore, the weather system that moved in to overcast the skies of Hazara division dropped four inches of snow in Ayubia. A large number of tourists came out of their hotels to enjoy the snow in Changla Gali, Donga Gali, and Nathiya Gali in Ayubia. Owing to this, the traffic also remained congested in some spots.

The visitors were found complaining about a group of people who exploit tourists stuck in cars on slippery roads. The so called ‘chain gangs’ have snow chains for tires and would tie the simple thing to the wheels of a stranded vehicle for an exorbitant rent.

The rent-a-chain guys hangout on slippery curves where people get stuck. They offer their services and ride with the car owner till such place where the road is clear.

Meanwhile, traffic police asked the drivers heading to hill stations to keep low air pressure in tyres of their vehicles besides keeping their fuel tank full. Moreover, cars should have functioning and fully charged car batteries so that their vehicles are mechanically fit for the extreme environment.

People should carry warm clothes, water, food and toilet rolls in their cars, traffic police said.

 

 

Published in The Express Tribune, January 4^th, 2021.