New Delhi: Muree, a popular tourist destination was declared a calamity zone after a snowstorm trapped about 1000 vehicles and about 23 people including 9 children, reported PTI. A minor girl who died in Jhika Gali was suffering from severe cold and pneumonia died as she could not be rushed to the hospital in time pushing the death toll to 23.
Due to the rush of tourists to the picturesque town in Punjab province, all the routes in Murree in Rawalpindi district were blocked after thousands of vehicles entered the city, leaving the tourists helpless on the roads.
According to a BBC report, police said at least six had frozen to death in their cars. Asphyxiation after inhaling fumes has been given as a possible reason for the others.
The Punjab government has imposed a state of emergency in hospitals, police stations and administration offices. The Punjab chief minister Usman Buzdar issued instructions for expediting rescue work and providing aid to the stranded tourists, the Dawn newspaper reported.
About 100,000 cars made their way to Muree and social media was flooded with people enjoying the snow. However, by Friday, local news reports stated that people were getting stranded. Followed by Saturday, when the heavy snow the increase in vehicles made authorities declare the area a disaster zone. Pictures and video on social media show cars trapped bumper to bumper, snow piled onto their roofs.
Locals have provided blankets and food to the trapped, while those who could make it up to the town – which sits at 2,300 metres (7,500 feet) above sea level – have been given shelter in government and school buildings media reports stated.
A large number of people were stranded and flights faced delays as the rain continued to lash the federal capital and Rawalpindi for the fourth consecutive day on Friday. Due to continuous snowfall and traffic congestion in Murree, the district administration imposed a ban on the entry of more vehicles.
Snowfall, which began on Tuesday night, continued with regular intervals, attracting thousands of tourists. However, due to the rush of visitors, many families ended up getting stranded on roads. It has been reported that over 100,000 vehicles entered the hill station.
In a statement, Chief Traffic Officer Taimoor Khan said the entry of vehicles into Murree had been banned from Friday night onwards and cars were being diverted from toll plazas and other entrances, the Dawn reported.
He said since snowfall started on Monday morning, more than 155,000 vehicles had entered Murree and 135,000 had so far left.
Prime Minister Imran Khan said he was shocked and upset at the tragic deaths of tourists on the road to Murree.
“Unprecedented snowfall & rush of ppl proceeding without checking weather conditions caught district admin unprepared. Have ordered inquiry & putting in place strong regulation to ensure prevention of such tragedies,” Khan said in a tweet.
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