PESHAWAR: The situation in Murree has deteriorated due to heavy snowfall and tourist rush as over 20 people were reportedly killed in their vehicles due to cold, Interior Minister Shaikh Rashid Ahmad has confirmed.
According to sources in the control room set up by Punjab government to monitor the situation in Murree, more than 100,000 tourist vehicles entered the city while the power supply in Murree has been cut off since last night because of intense weather situation. Sources said that tourists are stuck in vehicles with children and they do not even have food and drinks.
Interior Minister Shaikh Rashid Ahmad in a video massage said that the administration has sought the help of Armed Forces to evacuate tourists and clear roads for traffic. Rashid said that Rawalpindi and Islamabad district administrations, police and other agencies have been trying to restore traffic but there were so many vehicles that they could not clear the road in last 12 hours. “Only trucks carrying food and blankets are allowed to enter Murree. I am in Murree to oversee the relief and rescue operation,” the minister said. He said that Islamabad, Rawalpindi police and administration are trying their best but despite 12 hours of efforts, they have not been able to restore traffic in Murree.
The victims also include Assistant Sub-Inspector of a police station in Islamabad Police called Naveed and other members of his family. The officials said that his car got stuck in snow and the ASI died along with six other members of his family due to cold.
The Punjab government has declared Murree a disaster area, imposed emergency and directed concerned departments to take all possible steps to evacuate stranded people and ensure food supply. Punjab Chief Minister Usman Bazdar has directed the authorities to open rest houses to the public. The chief minister has appealed to the people to refrain from turning to Murree in the current situation.
The Interior Minister said all the roads leading to Murree have been closed and urged tourists not to visit Murree at the movement. The minister said they are seeking the help of Civil Armed Forces to evacuate the tourists and also appealed to the locals of Murree to provide blankets and other essential items to the people trapped in vehicles in the severe cold. Sheikh Rashid said that the Punjab government and Islamabad administration are monitoring the matter and also informing the government on this matter.
The administration said that 23000 vehicles have been evacuated safely from Murree, however, thousands of vehicles are still stranded, the deputy commissioner Rawalpindi said in a Twitter post, claiming that they are working round the clock to evacuate remaining vehicles safely.
According to the Met Office, Murree has received 32 inches of snowfall since January 3, while 94 mm of rain has been recorded, while the snowfall will continue for the next 24 hours. The met office said that there is also possibility of 90 kmph winds in the next 24 hours.