Authorities partially reopen Murree’s entry points and urge visitors to follow safety advice
Employees of Kaghan Development Authority are present at Kaghan Road in Naran to guide the incoming tourists. PHOTO: EXPRESS
ISLAMABAD:
A fresh snowfall has blanketed the northern hills, turning the region into a winter spectacle and attracting a large number of tourists eager to see the scenery and share their experiences on social media.
Snowfall across several hilly areas – including Murree, Swat, Kaghan, Naran and Galiyat – has turned these regions into major winter attractions, according to a report by a local media. Families and adventure seekers alike have flocked to the hills, captivated by the untouched landscapes and fresh snow.
The report noted that the snowfall has sparked a strong online trend, with tourists and residents posting videos of snowy vistas across social media platforms. The viral content has prompted many others to plan trips to the mountainous regions after seeing the shared footage.
Despite warnings issued by authorities and reports of several unfortunate incidents, visitor enthusiasm continues to grow and travelers are eager to capture and share the scenic beauty. Many users described the snowfall as creating a “magical winter mood,” while others compared the landscape to a “fairy tale environment.”
At the same time, some social media users and local residents urged caution and advised visitors to adhere to safety guidelines, especially when traveling on slippery roads. Locals also welcomed the influx of tourists, noting that the increased number of visitors has boosted local businesses and provided a much-needed economic boost.
Murree entry points have partially reopened
After heavy snowfall blocked important access roads to Murree, the district administration on Sunday partially reopened entry points to the hill station in phases to manage traffic and ensure public safety.
Officials said access for local residents and tourists will be allowed gradually as snow removal continues. Several major roads had previously been closed due to intense snowfall, causing significant disruption to commuters and visitors.
The decision to partially reopen entry points was made after initial road clearance and a comprehensive assessment of the prevailing conditions. Authorities said the controlled access system aims to prevent traffic jams and minimize the risk of accidents on snowy roads.
A district administration spokesman said heavy machinery is being deployed to clear snow from all major routes, with snow removal crews working around the clock to restore full access as soon as possible.
However, traffic is still slow in several places due to thick layers of snow and slippery road surfaces. Motorists have been advised to exercise caution, follow traffic directions closely and avoid non-essential travel until road conditions have fully improved.
Heavy snowfall paralyzes life in Galiyat
Normal life in the tourist areas of Galiyat was severely disrupted on Sunday after heavy snowfall triggered prolonged power outages, blocked connecting roads and communication breakdowns, leaving both residents and tourists stranded, according to the APP report.
In view of the deteriorating situation, Member of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Assembly Amina Sardar contacted Deputy Commissioner Abbottabad Sarmad Saleem Akram and Managing Director of Hazara Electric Supply Company (HEZCO) Qazi Tahir and urged them to speed up efforts to restore electricity, reopen roads and rescue stranded tourists.
The recent snowfall has led to complete closure of connecting 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 residences and hotels, where everyday life virtually grinds to a halt. Locals have reported acute shortages of medicine, essential food and firewood, while prices of available goods have risen sharply, adding to the public’s distress.
MPA Amina Sardar said the record snowfall had compounded the hardships of the people, leaving people cut off from city centers without electricity or mobile connectivity, while tourists also faced severe hardship. She urged the administration to prioritize the restoration of basic services and relief measures.
Snowfall over the past two days has paralyzed normal life in Circle Galiyat, where hospitals and markets remain inaccessible. Despite the presence of tourists who arrived to enjoy the snowfall, both visitors and residents continue to face serious challenges as the cold weather continues.
The snow removal was intensified
Efforts to restore road connectivity in the Galiyat region further intensified on Sunday as the Galiyat Development Authority (GDA) continued large-scale snow clearing 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 monitoring ongoing relief and restoration activities. Work to restore two-way traffic on Galiyat-Murree Road is progressing at a brisk pace.
Additional Assistant Commissioner Galiyat Muhammad Tariq and Tehsildar Abbottabad are also at the spot monitoring operations and coordinating the clearance efforts.
