Murree declares snow emergency

Strict monitoring, traffic management systems in place to regulate vehicle entry

RAWALPINDI:

The snowfall season has officially begun in Murree with a snow emergency declared across the district and its major routes. The snowfall period, from December 2 to March 15, 2025, has prompted authorities to activate 19 emergency check posts in Murree.

According to sources, one officer from each of 22 institutions will be stationed at these posts around the clock in three shifts. To facilitate tourists, Rawalpindi commissioner has dispatched an additional contingent of 100 Civil Defence personnel to Murree upon the request of Murree deputy commissioner, Zaheer Shirazi. The first group of 16 personnel has already been deployed.

Strict monitoring and traffic management systems are in place this season to regulate vehicle entry. Check posts have been set up at key entry points, including Islamabad Toll Plaza and GT Road Toll Plaza, to ensure no vehicles exceed the allowed limit. Additional teams from the NHA, Traffic Police, Forest Department, and Punjab Disaster Management Authority are also on duty.

To deal with icy roads, large quantities of salt have been distributed to the Murree Municipal Corporation and NHA. Snow-clearing vehicles, equipped with three drivers per vehicle for round-the-clock operation, have been assigned to Murree's administration.

District Officer Civil Defence Talib Hussain said that for better traffic management, 50 more traffic police personnel have been deployed. Check posts within Murree have been established at key points such as Jhiga Gali, Guldna, Sunny Bank, Kashmir Point, GPO Chowk, and Barian.

In a bid to improve tourist experiences, hotel, motel, and guesthouse rates have been categorised and fixed. Overcharging by hotels will lead to sealing, while set prices for food, beverages, and recreational activities will be enforced, with violators facing heavy fines.

The deputy commissioner emphasised the administration's commitment to ensuring the safety and convenience of visitors throughout the snowfall season.

The tourist season is set to begin on December 24, coinciding with the start of winter vacations. Rawalpindi Commissioner Aamir Khattak has directed the completion of all safety and security arrangements in Murree by December 10, ahead of the rainy and snowy season. He has also requested a comprehensive report on these preparations.

Furthermore, 19 facility centres will be established at strategic locations to guide tourists throughout the snow season. These centres will also be set up at the Motorway Toll Plaza and GT Road Toll Plaza, where the entry and count of computerised vehicles into Murree will be monitored.

Once Murree reaches its vehicle capacity, additional vehicles will be redirected from the GT Road and Motorway toll plazas. The uniformed field staff will be equipped with raincoats, umbrellas, walking sticks, torches, and other essentials. Facility centres will also be established at key locations such as GPO Chowk, Mall Road, Darya Gali, Jhika Gali, Kashmir Point, Lower Topa, and Sunny Bank. Each centre will have representatives from all relevant institutions working in three 8-hour shifts, ensuring round-the-clock service.

To manage traffic, 50 additional traffic officers will be deployed from Rawalpindi to Murree. The administration will coordinate with the National Highway Authority, Punjab Disaster Management Authority, and the Environment Department. The meteorological department will provide hourly weather updates once snowfall begins. Facility centres will also be equipped with PTCL landlines, mobile phones, and heaters.