ABBOTTABAD/MANSEHRA/SWAT: Most of the stranded tourists were evacuated from Galiyat region on Monday after the removal of snow from roads, said officials.

They told Dawn that the tourists had got stuck in Nathiagali, Dungagali, Ayubia, Changlagali and other areas due to heavy snowfall.

They also said the main Murree Road blocked due to landslides at various points had been re-opened to traffic.

The officials said several roads in Galiyat region, including Nathiagali-Bakoat Road, were closed due to the heavy snowfall, which lasted six days.

Official says snow removed from roads

The residents said the inclement weather paralysed life, while the road closures caused shortages of firewood and other fuels across the district. They feared that medicines and food items would become scarce.

Abbottabad SSP (traffic) Qamar Hayat said the Abbottabad-Nathiagali Road had been cleared of snow by traffic wardens, policemen, GDA workers and Rescue 1122 personnel.

GDA director-general Raza Ali Habib said in a video message that snow had been removed from all towns of Galiyat region, while tourists had been evacuated from Nathiagali and Dungagali areas and they included 35 families stuck in Tohidabad.

Meanwhile, the Kaghan Development Authority on Monday sprinkled salt on the link road leading to the Shogran tourist resort to prevent cars from slipping away.

“We have started the sprinkling of salt to end road slipperiness caused by snow in Kaghan valley,” KDA inspector Mohammad Mohazam told reporters.

He said the entry of tourists had been banned to the district over fears of more snowfall and landslides but the Mansehra-Naran-Jalkhad Road and links roads were being cleared of snow.

FORCE DEPLOYED: Swat district police officer Zahid Nawaz Marwat on Monday said additional police force had been deployed in different areas of the district to help and assist tourists. He told reporters that the police had taken measures for the safety of tourists, who thronged the district.

“Besides the deployment of additional police force, we have also engaged youth to help tourists,” he said.

The DPO said the police would ensure smooth traffic in snowbound areas. He said the people should carry chains in small vehicles while going to Malam Jabba and Kalam areas to prevent getting stuck in snow.

He said a helpline had been set up for tourists in Swat.

Meanwhile, tourists reached Swat in large numbers to enjoy snowfall. They lauded the efforts and cooperation of the police and other departments for their safe journey and stay in the area.

“When we got closer to Kalam valley, our car started sliding on the road due to snow. Luckily, the police and rescue personnel were there to help us move safely to Kalam,” said Ihtesham Khan, a tourist from Lahore.

He said the rescue workers were very cooperative.

The people, who visited Malam Jabba, said tourists should not drive to the top of the ski resort without chains around car vehicles to prevent accidents.

“When we’re on the way to Malam Jabba, we carried snow chains with us and they were a great help. We fixed them to the tyres and reached Malam Jabba Top without difficulty,” said Rahmat Ali from Peshawar.

Published in Dawn, January 11th, 2022