Met office predicts 'heavy snowfall' for Murree, Swat

Murree: The meteorological department has forecast another spell of “heavy snowfall” in Murree, Swat, Gilgit-Baltistan and other areas over the weekend. The department issued a warning to the Punjab government that it could cause road closure.

The snowfall forecast by Met Office for Saturday and Sunday has put local administration in Murree on high alert.

The warning from the meteorological department and the high level of preparedness come two weeks after 22 tourists froze to death in Murree as they waited to be rescued in snowstorm. An inquiry revealed authorities in the hill station had not prepared for the snow forecast beforehand.

After the Met Office predicted a new spell of snowfall in Murree, Rawalpindi Deputy Commissioner Tahir Faruqui convened a meeting and instructed authorities to prepare for the contingency.

The local administration has set up snow camps on the entry and exit points for Murree.

The camps have been equipped with snow removing machines and chemicals.