RAWALPINDI: In order to avoid a repeat of the Jan 7 tragedy, the police and emergency services were reviewing their readiness to handle the scenario in view of the forecast of rain and snowfall in Murree in the coming days.

Nasir Mehmood Satti, the regional police officer (RPO) for Rawalpindi Division, has asked the police to take necessary precautions in light of the predicted snowfall and rain in the Murree mountains.

At least 22 people, including 10 children, froze to death inside vehicles during a snowstorm on the Murree Hills on the night of Jan 7, 2022.

RPO Satti has issued instructions for advance measures in view of expected rain in the upper areas and snow on the hills.

The district police officer (DPO) Murree, chief traffic officers and others posted in Murree district have been directed to take appropriate measures to facilitate tourists and local residents by ensuring that advance measures were taken.

He said during snowfall, traffic load increased which could lead to traffic disruption for which a comprehensive plan should be prepared and additional personnel deployed in the snowy areas to protect tourists.

The RPO further issued directions to officers to ensure that tourists were made aware of the situation. Banners should be displayed at different places so that citizens can have proper awareness and in case of any problem, they can easily access relevant institutions, he said.

After the tragedy, a top-level inquiry was conducted, which led to the removal of 15 officials of Rawalpindi district administration and police, including the then commissioner, chief traffic officer, SE highway circle-II, Rawalpindi highway executive engineer, Murree highway mechanical sub-divisional officer, Murree divisional forest officer, district emergency officers, Murree Rescue 1122 in-charge and the head of Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) in Punjab.

Chief Traffic Officer (Rawalpindi) Taimoor Khan, who is presently posted as CTO Rawalpindi was among the 15 officials removed from their posts by the then chief minister on the recommendations of the inquiry committee.

Meanwhile, Secretary Punjab Emergency Service Department Dr Rizwan Naseer reviewed the emergency plan prepared to deal with snow storms in Murree district so that the emergency situation in winter could be responded to immediately.

The district emergency officer gave a briefing regarding the plan during a meeting held at the District Headquarters, Murree.

Dr Rizwan Naseer observed mock drills by the district staff to deal with snow storm emergencies. The purpose of deploying resources at strategic locations was to respond to blizzard and snow emergencies in a timely and effective manner.

The secretary observed the deployment of rescuers and emergency vehicles at 14 strategic emergency points and emergency facility centres established at various locations in Murree.

Addressing the meeting, Dr Naseer told the district emergency officer of Murree that the response of the rescue service related to snow storm or any untoward incident during winter should be prompt and professional.

Published in Dawn, December 28th, 2022