RAWALPINDI/ISLAMABAD/MURREE: The twin cities received light rainfall on Monday, bringing down temperatures after a prolonged dry spell.

District Health Officer Dr Zeeshan Ahmed told this agency that the rain would hopefully bring to an end the dry cough, cold and chest and throat infections caused by the dry spell.

The intermittent rain that began Sunday night decreased the threat of smog in the city and, if it continues, would decrease smog further in December.

Dr Ahmed said smog is caused mainly by the burning of garbage on roads and smoke emitted from factories and vehicles. He added that smog may affect health at the start of the winter season due to the changing climate and environmental pollution.

The promotion of tree plantations is vital to prevent smog and check environmental pollution, he added.

According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department, the city received around 14 millimetres of rain in Chaklala in the morning spell and 10mm in Shamsabad, while more rain and snowfall over the hills is expected in isolated parts of the Rawalpindi division during the next 24 hours.

A westerly wave is affecting upper and central parts of the country and is likely to persist during the next 48 hours.

The Rawalpindi Waste Management Company (RWMC) cleaned nullahs and choked drains after Sunday’s rainfall and additional sanitation workers were deployed in several city areas.

A spokesperson said RWMC Managing Director Dr Rizwan Ali Sher Dil visited parts of the city, particularly low-lying areas, to check the sanitation arrangements and directed officers to focus on areas near nullahs.

He instructed officials to ensure the areas where sanitation problems were pointed out are kept clean.

The spokesperson said the company had completed a cleanliness operation and the dredging of major drains to prevent any flooding. He also urged citizens not to dispose of garbage or plastic bags in nullahs and drains, as these cause obstruction.

Murree receives first snowfall of the season

Tourists, mainly from Rawalpindi and Islamabad, are heading to Murree in large numbers to enjoy the first snowfall of the season.

According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), the hill station received about a foot of snowfall and more is expected in the coming days.

An official from the Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) said thousands of people gathered at Pindi Point, Kashmir Point, the Mall and Ayubia to take in the weather. He said adjoining areas such as the Galiyat, Bhurban, Ayubia and Nathiagali are also expected to see a large influx of tourists next week.

He said the PTDC was doing its best to facilitate tourists, and had announced discounts at the start of the season to attract visitors. He added that the organisation is in touch with the local administration to maintain traffic.

The weather also resulted in the suspension of electricity in many areas. Highway department machinery has begun clearing the roads to keep traffic flowing smoothly, and traffic wardens were deployed on various roads to guide tourists and traffic as well.

Murree Assistant Commissioner Imtiaz Kitchi appealed to tourists to keep in their lane to avoid traffic jams and inconvenience. He also asked them to keep their cars on petrol instead of CNG so their vehicles can move through the snow.

People have also been advised to keep dry food in their vehicles, and the assistant commissioner has said that pamphlets to guide tourists have been published and are being distributed at the Satra Meel Toll Plaza.

The Musiyari link road has been closed to all traffic and tourists are using the Expressway to reach Murree. Local link roads have been blocked by snow and will only be cleared once the snow stops, the assistant commissioner said.

The Rawalpindi City Traffic Police on Monday advised people visiting Murree to keep the air pressure in their vehicle’s tyres low so they can drive safely on slippery roads and keep their fuel tanks topped up in case of traffic jams.

A traffic advisory issued ahead of the influx of tourists to the hill resort also asked people to keep their car batteries fully charged and ensure their vehicles are mechanically fit. Drivers were also asked not to run their vehicles on compressed natural gas (CNG), a low power fuel.

The police have also set up an emergency helpline to facilitate tourists, the centre for which will serve as a control room.

A police spokesperson told this agency that a greater number of wardens have been deployed under the supervision of inspectors at all important points, and several locations have been reserved for parking.

Main roads such as Mall Road, Kuldana Road and Kashmir Point Road have been closed to two-way traffic, he said. Motorists have been asked to cooperate with traffic police, particularly when it is snowing, and not to park on the sides of the road in order to prevent traffic congestion.

He said the city traffic officer is monitoring the overall situation and arrangements in Murree.

Murree Chief Traffic Officer Mohammad bin Ashraf confirmed that the traffic police has directed for more staff to be deployed in Murree to control the situation, and an advisory has been issued to assist tourists.

Murree Traffic Police Sub-Inspector Mohammad Imran told this agency they were connected to the highway department with snow-bikers patrolling the area to prevent any mishaps and are fully equipped to control any situation.

Published in Dawn, December 11th, 2018