The authorities have banned the entry of more tourists in Murree after thousands of visitors caused a traffic mess at the hill station following heavy snowfall, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Thursday.

The power outage and lack of machinery to remove snow from the roads aggravated the woes of the tourists in Murree.

https://twitter.com/PakistanJannatt/status/1752572895333658696

Owing to long lines of tourists’ vehicles which could be seen on the roads linking Rawalpindi-Islamabad to the hilly spots in Murree and around, the Islamabad Deputy Commissioner issued the order to restrict further entry of the tourists into the hill station.

https://twitter.com/PakTravelGuide/status/1752743724969558143

Police said a number of main roads including Kashmir Point, Mall Road, Guldana Road and other arteries have been closed for two-way traffic to ease traffic flow. A special traffic control room had been set up to help the citizens round the clock.

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In a post on X platform, the deputy commissioner said the Islamabad administration has taken an important decision of banning entry of tourists into Murree from 17 miles due to snowfall.

He said Murree already has a large number of tourists at this time. “The decision was taken after consultation with Murree management. Tourists will be allowed to enter Murree once the rush subsides,” the DC added.

https://twitter.com/dcislamabad/status/1752762983481008346

Amid snowfall in Murree, the preparations of the civil administration especially highways and WAPDA departments were exposed again as thousands of tourists thronged the hill station.

Traffic chaos was witnessed at Murree’s main roads and arteries because the preparations to remove snow from roads and highways were very slow.

The administration’s old vehicles were unable to remove the snow and many vehicles were seen out of order at road sides.

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The tourists were seen pushing their vehicles themselves. The vehicle with chains were seen on the roads. The families having tyres of their vehicles chained were finding it easy to commute.

 The Tourism Department’s Guide Force was not available anywhere to help ease the tourists’ woes.

https://twitter.com/PakistanJannatt/status/1752925758668812791

The snowfall and rain is predicted for next 24 hours also. The tourists not following traffic advisory were seen disturbed.

Wapda official were also not seen at the site as power outages also aggravated the problems of the commuters and tourists. The Wapda officials were not attending phone calls and people were complaining of prolonged loadshedding.

https://twitter.com/javedeqbalpk1/status/1752891017974407300

Heavy rain lashes Lahore, other cities

Meanwhile, rain accompanied with cold winds and thunderstorm lashed Lahore and several other cities of Punjab in the wee hours of Thursday.

The downpour in different areas vanished smog and fog; however, rain inundated roads and streets in the provincial capital of Lahore.

https://twitter.com/PakistanJannatt/status/1752683363494945015

Dozens of LESCO feeders tripped due to heavy rain and strong wind in the city, resulting in power outage in various areas. Rain was also reported in Faisalabad, Gujrat, Muridke, Sangla Hill, Toba Tek Singh, Dinga, Khushab, Joharabad, Kharian and their adjoining areas.

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According to Met department, rain-wind/thunderstorm besides snowfall was expected in Gilgit Baltistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Kashmir, Islamabad, Pothohar region and upper Punjab during the next 24 hours.

https://twitter.com/Pak_Weather/status/1752762576377676107

Reporter Haider Ali