Pakistan: Massive snowfall cut-off people in Murree

By: Asma Zulfiqar

We all know that Murree is a real blessing from God to the people of Pakistan. Murree is basically a beautiful hill station which is situated on the boundary of Pakistan. This border is stretched from Punjab and goes all the way to Azad Kashmir. It is a extremely good spot for tourism in almost four seasons (Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter). Many national and international tourists visit Murree at least once in their life, to see the real beauty of Pakistan. Murree has beautiful sceneries and attractive greenery atmosphere. Mountains blanketed with snow, valleys with fog, forests with heavy inexperienced bushes and the weather, all these things make Murree ideal vicinity for tourists to visit.

As we have mentioned above that Murree is rich in beautiful weather and receives record rainfall/snow fall every year. The area is covered with snow for three months such attractive atmosphere killed innocent people. On 8th January 2022, there was a big accident occurred in Murree at least 23 people have died after heavy snow and trapped them in their vehicles as lots of site visitors thronged Pakistan’s motel town of Murree. It is said that the minor girl died in Jhika Gali she was suffering from severe cold and pneumonia and lost her life as she could not be rushed to the hospital in time. According to government officers, More than 4 feet (122cm) of snow fell in the area of the Murree Hills resort overnight Friday and early on Saturday, trapping thousands of cars on roadways. They added that the entry of vacationers to the hill station could be banned for subsequent 2 days.

Although, Prime Minister Imran khan expressed his deep feeling, Shocked, upset at tragic deaths of tourists on Murree and on the other side Emergency officers also disbursed food and blankets to people while they were trapped in their snowed-in cars. Unfortunately, tyrant hypothermia took their lives and many of them are died from carbon monoxide poisoning after running their car heaters for long periods of time. Besides this big accident, it’s also disturbing image of Pakistan’s tourism.

Here, the question is arising that why does it happened every year in Murree as tourist facing different problems regarding accommodation? What arrangements did government make to deal with such an influx? It is not only issue of tourist however the neighborhood population or locals are also dealing with extreme issues. As far as I’m concerned that, the Prime minister and government officials how pay their only deep feelings towards such incidents is not good enough and much more to overcome such issues. Government and high officials have much more power to use in better ways which will help to boost up not only tourism spots but also for natives of Murree.

However, the job of the government is not only to remember tourists but also to develop arrangements and security measures for them. What so ever happened on 8 January 2022, these deaths are not due to snowfall only but due to government negligence too. Snowfall, which began on Tuesday night, continued with regular intervals, attracting thousands of tourists. Due to the rush of visitors, many families ended up getting stranded on roads. It was reported that over 100,000 vehicles entered the hill station. If single step was taken by government official to block the roads for 1-2 days before start of snowfall strictly then maybe things will go in goods ways and avoid from damage. Instead of searching for more tourists, the authorities need to have given a warning for jammed roads. These were tragic & avoidable losses that no one intended, but no person acted in time either. As we see every opposition party is criticizing the government each and every time for its handling of the influx of tourists and inadequate preparation. What so ever happened on 8 January, this was the time for government authorities to help needy people instead of mirroring opposition parties. Some government officials argue that most of the people who died in Murree did not die due to the cold, they died as they left their heaters on in the car and went to sleep. The fumes from the heater killed them.

Here, I want to mention the best lines of Augusto Pinochet “When the homeland is in danger, God and Soldiers are called for. When danger passes God is forgotten and soldiers are judged” This line depicts that the only source for any kind of danger is seeking help from God Almighty and the Army. During this situation the Pakistan army came forward and was supposed to provide its services in Murree. Heavy machinery from the Murree army engineers division and Frontier Works Organization worked without any pause to assist people who were struck, Troops were out in the field. Where machinery can’t reach, troops have been moved and they were clearing traffic and opening roads. More than 300 snow-affected people including children have been provided medical care by a team of army doctors and paramedics. Cooked meal served to more than 1000 stranded people in Jheekagali, Kashmiri Bazar, Lower Topa and Kuldana. Stranded People have been accommodated & provided shelter with hot meals. Although services were provided by Pakistan army after what so ever incident happened.

By concluding I can say that this tragedy is the result of government ignorance and somehow the stupidity of visitors. It is the laxity of the administrators which did not immediately close this route for travel despite the warning of bad weather. And the second negligence is of the hotels of Murree who have increased the rent so much in such weather that people have to go back. Apart from administrators or government authorities, in times of technology we can easily check weather before going somewhere. In such a situation of bad weather it is only foolish to dare to take your family and go to see the snow and Sleeping with heaters in cars is also Stupidity.

May the departed souls rest in eternal peace.