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MURREE, Jan 23 (APP):The district administration, police and emergency services on Friday launched a large-scale rescue operation in Murree as heavy snowfall and a severe snowstorm left more than 5,000 tourist vehicles stranded in the hill station.
Deputy Commissioner Agha Zaheer Abbas Shirazi and District Police Officer (DPO) Dr Muhammad Raza Tanveer Sipra were present in the field to supervise the operation, which focused on clearing internal roads and ensuring the safe evacuation of stranded tourists.
The deputy commissioner said snowfall had reached around one foot and was continuing. He said snowploughs, cranes and loaders were working round the clock to reopen main roads and restore mobility.
He said the administration had mobilised all available resources to ensure public safety and was providing continuous guidance and assistance to tourists and residents. He appealed to visitors to remain patient, assuring them that all relevant departments were fully active.
The DPO said visibility had dropped to near zero due to the intensity of the snowfall, creating life-threatening conditions. He said a complete ban had been imposed on the entry of further vehicles into Murree until the situation improved.
He said the safety of tourists remained the top priority under the prevailing weather conditions and urged people to strictly avoid travelling towards Murree.
He added that stranded tourists should not panic as police and the district administration were present on the ground.
The DPO also advised people sheltering in vehicles to exercise caution while using heaters and to ensure adequate ventilation to maintain oxygen levels. He said police officers would remain deployed in the field until all tourists were safely evacuated and normal conditions were restored, a police spokesperson said.