Murree, Galyat turn into winter paradise

Snow-covered valleys attract a flood of tourists over the weekend

ISLAMABAD:

The majestic hill stations of Murree, Galyat and Leepa Valleys were transformed into a breathtaking winter wonderland over the weekend.

A thick blanket of snow has covered the area, casting a serene silence over the landscape, drawing in a tidal wave of tourists who flocked to the area to bask in the beauty of nature's frozen masterpiece.

The snowfall, which ranged from 4 to 5 inches in different areas, turned the popular tourist destinations into an enchanting spot, with snow-clad trees, roads and buildings presenting a breathtaking sight.

The picturesque change in the scenery, brought in scores of tourists. The owner of a popular restaurant in Murree testified to this when he said, "We have had an unprecedented rush of customers this weekend and our sales have skyrocketed."

"The snowfall has been a blessing for us as it has brought in a huge number of tourists who are eager to try our local cuisine," said Rashid, owner of another restaurant in Nathia Gali. "Our restaurant has been packed since Friday evening, and we are struggling to keep up with the demand," said a store owner in Leepa Valley.

"The weekend rush has been incredible, and we are thrilled to see so many tourists enjoying the beauty of Murree and Galyat," said a businessman in Murree Mall Road. However, the heavy snowfall also caused disruptions to routine life, with many roads becoming impassable due to the accumulation of snow. To mitigate the problems faced by tourists and locals, the Galyat Development Authority (GDA) swung into action, taking emergency measures to ensure the smooth flow of traffic and provide necessary facilities to the visitors.

"We have deployed heavy machinery, including snowploughs and excavators to clear the snow from the roads," said a GDA official. "We have also sprinkled salt on the roads to prevent them from becoming slippery and ensure the safety of tourists." In addition to these measures, the GDA and Murree officials also established facilitation centres at various points.

Despite the disruptions caused by the snowfall, the tourists seemed to be enjoying themselves, with many of them taking part in snowball fights, building snowmen and taking selfies with the snow-clad scenery providing a picturesque backdrop. "It's a wonderful experience," said a tourist from Lahore.