ISLAMABAD: The National Highways & Motorway Police (NHMP) has decided to close the Murree for all kinds of traffic, citing heavy snowfall and a large number of tourists entering the hill station.
“We request all motorists and tourists to cooperate with the authorities,” the NHMP wrote on its official Twitter account. The motorway police further asked motorists to call on 130 if it is absolutely necessary for them to travel to Murree.
شدید برفباری اور ٹریفک رش کی وجہ سے مری ہر قسم کی ٹریفک کے لئے بند کر دیا گیا ہے۔@InamGhani pic.twitter.com/preNGnm7xr
— National Highways & Motorway Police (NHMP) (@NHMPofficial) January 7, 2022
Meanwhile, personnel of National Highways & Motorway Police were busy helping cars that had been stuck in the snow, causing traffic jams.
Earlier in the day, Rawalpindi Police issued traffic updates for Murree and a travel advisory after heavy snowfall triggered an avalanche creating difficulties for the tourists in the area.
* مری ٹریفک اپڈیٹ* کوہ مری میں مسلسل تیز برفباری کا سلسلہ جاری۔*صبح سے اب تک 27000کے قریب گاڑیاں مری داخل ہو چکی ہیں۔ترجمان ٹریفک پولیس مری آنے والے سیاحوں کو ہر ممکنہ سہولیات فراہم کی جائیں۔ سی پی او راولپنڈی ساجد کیانی* pic.twitter.com/MfN6gD1uFM
— City Traffic Police, Rawalpindi (@ctprwp) January 7, 2022
Sharing a video on their Twitter handle, the city traffic police wrote that nearly 27,000 vehicles have so far entered Murree since morning. CPO Rawalpindi Sajid Kiyani instructed traffic police to extend tourists every possible help and facility.
DSP urges tourists to refrain from taking selfies
While talking to the media, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Murree Ajmal Satti said that roads have become slippery due to snowfall, requesting tourists to not park vehicles in no parking zones.
He also urged tourists to refrain from stopping midway on their journeys to take videos and selfies.
“Traffic wardens are everywhere on roads to control traffic and we are trying our best to ensure tourists reach their destination safely,” he told the media.
Due to the heavy snowfall in Murree, tourists were seen stranded on roads in the hilly area. On Friday, Assistant Commissioner Mohammad Omar Maqbool visited various roads and squares of the city, including Jhika Gali Chowk, and reviewed the flow of traffic.
The administration has made special arrangements to deal with the situation, he said, adding heavy machinery has been deployed to remove snow from roads.
Minister for Interior Sheikh Rasheed on Friday evening requested tourists, especially families, to avoid travelling to Murree and Galiyat. “Over 100,000 vehicles have already entered Murree due to which the flow of traffic is extremely slow,” he added.
