Lahore:
When the recent scheme of heavy rains, landslides and sudden floods in the regions of northern Pakistan caused a loss of life and important goods for the local population, it also ruined the summer routes of several seasonal tourists from all cities.
According to the meteorological department, this monsoon season has brought much more rain than usual. Just in Chakwal, 423 mm of precipitation was recorded in mid-July, which is double the multi-year average. The roads were blocked in Murriere, Soon Valley, Kalabagh and in other places, leaving dozens of blocked tourists while rescue operations were also seriously hampered due to current showers.
In Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, at least 13 tourists drowned and spent time near the Swat river. The sudden increase in water levels and the lack of safety measures contributed to the tragedy. Likewise, in the Gilgit-Baltistan district, three people were killed and 15 were missing due to landslides, while several sections of the Karakoram motorway were also closed.
Following these dangerous incidents, a notable decline was observed in the will of tourists to go to the north. Imran Ahmed, a resident of Lahore, said: “We used to visit Murrier or Kalam every year, but recent tragedies are heartbreaking.” Another citizen, Tariq Mahmood, shared: “During the Chemin de Soon Valley, we received field lands reports and decided to return. These areas no longer feel safe.”
Experts believe that extreme weather conditions, weaknesses and weak infrastructure endanger tourist destinations, which amplifies the urgent need for the government to focus on early alert systems, emergency planning and environmental protection.
Nadeem Shehzad, a well -known tour operator of Lahore, confirmed that many visits had been canceled in early July due to unexpected weather conditions. “Tourists have rather offered safer alternatives, which has accepted the most. Although the summer season is a time of advanced activity for the tourism industry, professional operators always prioritize the safety of their customers. Some license -free tour operators, however, use the content of deceptive social media to encourage trips to high -risk fields, which can be followed by life,” said Shehzad.
In response to the situation, the Punjab tourism department has decided to introduce tourist quality standards to all tourist sites. According to the Tourism Secretary, Raja Jahangir Anwar, health and security protocols will be made compulsory in all destinations. The construction of roads will also be carried out in a way that minimizes the risk of landslides, while encroachments on drainage systems will also be deleted.
“Punjab has been divided into three tourist areas: northern regions (Murrier, Kotli Sattian), lakes and natural rivers and southern Punjab. Destinations,” said Anwar.
The Secretary of Tourism also urged the public to verify the updates of weather conditions and the security of the website of the Tourism Department and the PDMA assistance line before planning trips, in order to avoid any unpleasant incident.
