Major highways in calamity hit Murree cleared for traffic

Islamabad: All major highways in calamity hit Murree have been cleared for traffic during Army rescue operation after dozens of tourists froze to death after their vehicles were stranded amid heavy snowfall and traffic congestion.

According to the Punjab Police Spokesperson, all the major highways of Murree have been cleared for traffic. Police are still present while the roads will remain closed today.

A police spokesman said 600 to 700 vehicles were evacuated from Murree last night. All tourists have been shifted to the relief camps set up by the Pakistan Army before the night while more than 500 families were evacuated within 24 hours.

According to a police spokesman, 20 to 25 large trees fell in Murree due to heavy snowfall. Additional personnel and heavy machinery were sent to the hill station on the instructions of Punjab Chief Minister Usman Bazdar. More than 1000 officers and officers of Rawalpindi Police and Traffic Police took part in the rescue operation.

On Saturday, At least 23 people have been killed after heavy snowfall covered Murree and other northern areas of Pakistan, hampering traffic and disrupting public transportation. 

As per details, thousands of tourists entered the hill station on Friday to enjoy the weather after the area received heavy snowfall—causing heavy traffic jams on Murree-Islamabad Motorway. It has been reported that over 100,000 vehicles entered the hill station.

Police revealed most of the people have been killed due to shivering cold.