Lahore:
Where the recent pattern of heavy rain, landslides and flash floods over Pakistan’s northern regions has created significant loss of life and property for the local population, it has also destroyed summer journey from several seasonal tourists from across different cities.
According to the meteorological department, this monsoon season has brought far more rain than usual. In Chakwal alone, 423 mm of rainfall was registered in mid -July, which is twice the perennial average. The roads were blocked in Murree, soon Valley, Kalabagh and other locations, leaving dozens of tourists stranded, while rescue operations were also severely hampered due to continuous rainfall.
In the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, at least 13 tourists drowned while spending time near the Swat River. The sudden increase in water level and a lack of safety measures contributed to the tragedy. Similarly, three people in Gilgit-Baltist’s Diamer District were killed and 15 reported missing due to landslides, while several sections of Karakoram Highway were also closed.
Following these dangerous events, a noticeable decline in the tourists’ willingness to travel to the north has been observed. Imran Ahmed, resident of Lahore, said, “We visited Murree or Kalam every year, but the recent tragedies are heartbreaking.” Another citizen, Tariq Mahmood, shared, “While on our way to Valley we got reports of landslides and decided to return. These areas no longer feel safe.”
Experts believe that extreme weather, intervention and weak infrastructure put tourist destinations at serious risk and thus reinforce the urgent need for the government to focus on early warning systems, emergency planning and environmental protection.
Nadeem Shehzad, a well -known tour operator from Lahore, confirmed that many trips were canceled in early July due to unexpected weather conditions. “Tourists were instead offered safer alternatives that most accepted. While the summer season is the highest business time for the tourism industry, professional operators always prioritize the security of their clients. However, some illegal tour operators use misleading social media content to encourage trips to high -risk areas that may be life -threatening,” informed Shehzad.
In response to the situation, Punjab Tourism Department has decided to introduce tourist quality standards in all tourist places. According to tourist secretary Raja Jahangir Anwar, health and safety protocols will be mandatory at all destinations. Road construction will also be carried out in a way that minimizes the risk of landslide, while drainage systems are also removed.
“Punjab has been divided into Three Tourism Zones: Northern Regions (Murree, Kotli Sattian), Natural Lakes and Rivers, and Southern Punjab. Among These, The Northern Areas are the Most Vulnerable to Weather-Related Risks. Development Budget of RS18 Billion for the First Time, Aimed at Upgrading Existing Tourist Spots, Improving Safety Measures, and Reviving New Destinations, “claimed Anwar.
The Tourist Secretary further called on the public to control weather and security updates from the tourist department’s website and PDMA aid, before planning trips, to avoid unpleasant events.
