Winter’s first snow: Over 50,000 flock to Murree

First spell of snowfall attracts tourist from around the region.

ISLAMABAD:

The first of winter snow fell in Murree on Thursday, and the following two days have seen people from across the region flocking to the hill station. While most of the families have been from the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad, some people from as far as Lahore have also made the journey.

With the weekend starting on Saturday, a large number of families reached Murree and began building snowmen, having snowball fights, and indulging in a host of other winter activities.

Galyaat and surrounding areas including Nathiagali and the Hazara belt were the centres of attention, where heavy snowfall was recorded on Friday. Bhurban, Ayubia, Mall Road, Kashmir Point and Pindi Point were also packed with tourists.

However, access became a problem, as long queue of vehicles were seen at Satra Meel Toll Plaza on Murree Road.

Talat Mehmood, a toll collector at Satra Meel, told The Express Tribune that over 20,000 vehicles (more than 50,000 people) have gone towards Murree since Friday morning, most of which were tourists. He expected the figure would continue rising at the same rate till Sunday evening. “In peak season we always see huge numbers of tourists visiting Murree, but compared to last year, the number this season has definitely increased,” he added.



Azhar Nisar, waiting at the toll plaza, said, “The weather is mind-blowing, and I am especially [looking forward] to huge trees covered by the white snow.” Pakistan Meteorological Office Director General Arif Mehmood said over a metre of snowfall was recorded in Nathiagali and its surrounding areas on Friday and Saturday morning. Murree received about half a metre of snow.

He said the snowfall is expected to continue on Sunday and Monday, along with light rain. The temperature in Murree fell five below zero on degree Celsius, he added.

“The first spell of snowfall came unexpectedly this year, but it will definitely have a positive impact on crops, as previous years have seen snowfall usually start in January,” he said.

Mehmood said that Rawalpindi and Islamabad recorded about 32mm of rain in the current spell and it is expected that the rain will continue over the next two days.

The Rawalpindi traffic police said they have made special arrangements to facilitate tourists.

City Traffic Officer Syed Ishtiaq Shah said they have deputed over 70 traffic wardens in Murree to help manage the traffic. Moreover, he added, heavy traffic has been barred from using GT Road and is being diverted towards Islamabad Expressway. Murree Assistant Commissioner Tariq Chandio said that highway officials have cleaned snow from the roads and two machines are being used to remove snow from Sunny Bank and the Bhurban area.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 16^th, 2012.