Northern hills dazzle after fresh snowfall

Authorities partially reopen Murree's entry points, urge visitors to follow safety advisories

ISLAMABAD:

A fresh spell of snowfall has blanketed the northern hills, transforming the region into a winter spectacle and drawing large numbers of tourists eager to witness the scenery and share their experiences on social media.

Snowfall across several hilly areas — including Murree, Swat, Kaghan, Naran and the Galiyat — has turned these regions into major winter attractions, according to a report by a local media outlet. Families and adventure seekers alike have flocked to the hills, captivated by the pristine landscapes and fresh snow.

The report noted that the snowfall has triggered a strong online trend, with tourists and residents posting videos of snow-covered vistas across social media platforms. The viral content has encouraged many others to plan trips to the mountainous areas after viewing the shared footage.

Despite advisories issued by authorities and reports of several untoward incidents, the enthusiasm among visitors has continued to grow, with travellers keen to capture and share the scenic beauty. Many users described the snowfall as creating a "magical winter atmosphere," while others likened the landscape to a "fairy-tale setting."

At the same time, some social media users and local residents urged caution, advising visitors to adhere to safety guidelines, particularly while travelling on slippery roads. Locals also welcomed the influx of tourists, noting that the increased footfall has boosted local businesses and provided a much-needed economic uplift.

Murree entry points partially reopened

Following heavy snowfall that blocked key access routes to Murree, the district administration on Sunday partially reopened entry points to the hill station in a phased manner to manage traffic and ensure public safety.

Officials said that access for local residents and tourists will be allowed gradually while snow clearance operations continue. Several major roads had earlier been closed due to intense snowfall, causing significant disruption for commuters and visitors.

The decision to partially reopen entry points was taken after initial road clearance and a comprehensive assessment of prevailing conditions. Authorities said the controlled entry system aims to prevent traffic congestion and minimise the risk of accidents on snow-covered roads.

A spokesperson for the district administration said that heavy machinery is being deployed to clear snow from all major routes, with snow removal teams working round the clock to restore full access as quickly as possible.

However, traffic movement remains slow at several locations due to thick layers of snow and slippery road surfaces. Motorists have been advised to exercise caution, strictly follow traffic advisories, and avoid non-essential travel until road conditions fully improve.

Heavy snowfall paralyses life in Galiyat

Normal life in the tourist areas of Galiyat was severely disrupted on Sunday following heavy snowfall, which triggered prolonged power outages, blocked link roads and communication breakdowns, leaving both residents and tourists stranded, according to APP report. 

In view of the worsening situation, Member of the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Assembly Amina Sardar contacted Deputy Commissioner Abbottabad Sarmad Saleem Akram and Chief Executive Officer of the Hazara Electric Supply Company (HEZCO) Qazi Tahir, urging them to expedite efforts to restore electricity, reopen roads and rescue stranded tourists.

Recent snowfall has led to the complete closure of link roads across Circle Galiyat, while the power distribution system has been badly affected due to fallen poles and damaged transmission lines. The suspension of mobile phone services following the shutdown of mobile towers has further cut off communication with the affected areas.

As a result, residents and tourists remain confined to homes and hotels, with daily life virtually at a standstill. Locals have reported acute shortages of medicines, essential food items and firewood, while prices of available goods have surged sharply, adding to public distress.

MPA Amina Sardar said the record snowfall had compounded hardships for the population, leaving people cut off from urban centres without electricity or mobile connectivity, while tourists were also facing severe difficulties. She called on the administration to prioritise the restoration of basic services and relief measures.

Snowfall over the past two days has paralysed normal life in Circle Galiyat, with hospitals and markets remaining inaccessible. Despite the presence of tourists who arrived to enjoy the snowfall, both visitors and residents continue to face serious challenges as cold weather persists.

Snow clearance intensified

Efforts to restore road connectivity in the Galiyat region were further intensified on Sunday as the Galiyat Development Authority (GDA) continued large-scale snow clearance and road rehabilitation operations using heavy machinery.

Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) Gohar Ali and Additional Deputy Commissioner (Relief) are present in Galiyat and are personally supervising ongoing relief and restoration activities. Work to restore two-way traffic on the Galiyat-Murree Road is progressing at a rapid pace.

Additional Assistant Commissioner Galiyat Muhammad Tariq and Tehsildar Abbottabad are also on site, monitoring operations and coordinating clearance efforts.