Authorities set up tourist facilitation centers amid snowfall in Pakistani resort town of Murree

A vehicle is pictured after getting stuck in snow along a road after a heavy snowfall in Murree, around 70 kilometers (45 miles) northeast of the capital, Islamabad on January 8, 2022. (AFP/File)
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  • Official advises citizens to take precautionary measures and avoid unnecessary travel
  • In 2022, 22 people died in their vehicles trapped by heavy snowfall, snarl-ups in Murree

ISLAMABAD: Authorities have established 13 facilitation centers for tourists in the Pakistani hill station of Murree, the Punjab Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) said on Sunday, amid continuing rain and snowfall in the resort town.
The development comes after the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) urged authorities to take precautionary measures and advised travelers to exercise caution while traveling to hilly areas, with cold weather and smog expected to grip several parts of the country this week.
The Punjab PDMA said on Sunday that rain and snowfall were likely to continue in Murree over the next 24 hours, which could affect the flow of traffic on roads in and around the resort town.
“The [Murree] administration must remain alert and there should be no negligence,” Punjab PDMA Director-General Irfan Ali Kathia said in a statement.
“Snow should be cleared from roads through heavy machinery and the flow of traffic must be ensured.”
In Jan. 2022, 22 snow tourists died in their vehicles trapped by heavy snowfall and traffic snarl-ups in the resort town.
Kathia requested tourists to check the weather conditions before setting out on their journey and to exercise caution.
“Efforts are being made to ensure that no untoward incident occurs,” he added.