ABBOTTABAD: The snowfall has returned to certain tourist spots of Abbottabad district, which has resulted in colder weather and, in some cases, the closing of roads in the Galiyat region, albeit temporarily.
Nathiagali, Thandiani, and other hill stations are among the areas that got the new snow, resulting in the making of some roads slippery and hazardous for traffic. To avoid any public danger, some routes were closed for a short time.
Shah Rukh Ali, Director-General of Galiyat Development Authority (GDA), has issued orders that GDA staff at all levels be prepared for emergencies. In addition, heavy equipment has been made ready for the removal of snow from the roads and quick unblocking of traffic.
Officers informed that the emergency help is provided wherever it is needed and the reopening of the closed roads is made easier by the quick work which was not expected to take place so soon. The Tourist Facilitation Centers are still in operation, and the Tourism Police and GDA staff are there to guide and provide support to the visitors.
The authorities have suggested tourists and drivers going to the Galiyat area to put snow chains on their vehicles and follow the travel safety instructions throughout the journey.
ALSO READ: MET dept forecast snowfall in KP, cold, dry weather to persist
Authorities shut parts of motorways in Punjab and KP as visibility drops
Meanwhile, the heavy fog in central Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has turned extreme and reduced the visibility on the motorways and accordingly, the authorities have decided to close some part of it as a safety measure for the people.
The sections that have been closed are:
M-1: Peshawar Toll Plaza to Rashkai Interchange
M-3: Faizpur to Rajana Interchange
M-4: Faisalabad to Shama Kot Interchange
Besides this, the M-4 section from Pindi Bhattian to Multan is closed for heavy vehicles, while the M-4 Faisalabad to Abdul Hakim and M-3 Samundri to Rajana are closed for all traffic.
A representative from the Central Region Motorway Police stated that with this measure the authorities intend to save lives because fog can potentiate the already bad situations of speeding and lane violations and thus cause serious accidents.
Travellers are asked to refraining from travelling unnecessarily. In the case of a must trip, the travel is advised to be during the day, that is, between 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. for safer conditions. Furthermore, it is instructed that all the drivers use fog lights, that they discipline in their lanes, that they keep a safe distance from the vehicle ahead, and that they do not speed.
Motorway Police help line 130 is there to guide or assist. The officials mentioned that the motorways will be opened up gradually as the conditions improve and advised the public to take the necessary precautions to avoid accidents.
