LAHORE:
When the recent pattern of heavy rains, landslides and sudden floods in the regions of northern Pakistan has caused a significant loss of lives and properties for the local population, has also ruined the summer itineraries of several seasonal tourists of several cities.
According to the Department of Meteorology, this Monzón season has brought much more rain than usual. In Chakwal alone, 423 mm of rain were recorded in mid -July, which is twice the average of several years. The roads were blocked in Murree, Soon Valley, Kalabagh and other places, leaving dozens of stranded tourists while rescue operations were also severely hindered due to current holes.
In Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, at least 13 tourists drowned as they spent time near the Swat River. The sudden increase in water levels and the lack of safety measures contributed to the tragedy. Similarly, in the Diamer district of Gilgit-Baltistan, three people were killed and 15 reported missing due to landslides, while several sections of the Karakoram road also closed.
After these dangerous incidents, a remarkable decrease in the will of tourists to travel north has been observed. Imran Ahmed, resident of Lahore, said: “We used to visit Murree or Kalam every year, but recent tragedies are heartbreaking.” Another citizen, Tariq Mahmood, shared: “While on the way to Soon Valley, we obtained reports of landslides and decided to return. These areas no longer feel safe.”
Experts believe that extreme climate, weak invasions and infrastructure are putting tourist destinations with a serious risk, which amplifies the urgent need for the government to be concentrated in early alert systems, emergency planning and environmental protection.
Nadeem Shehzad, a well -known Lahore tourist operator, confirmed that many tours were canceled in early July due to unexpected climatic conditions. “On the other hand, tourists were offered safer alternatives, which most accepted. While the summer season is the maximum business time for the tourism industry, professional operators always prioritize the safety of their customers. Some tourist operators without a license, however, use content of deceptive social networks to encourage trips to high -risk areas, which may threaten life,” Shehzad said.
In response to the situation, the Punjab Tourism Department has decided to introduce tourism quality standards in all tourist places. According to the Secretary of Tourism Raja Jahangir Anwar, the health and safety protocols will be mandatory in all destinations. The road construction will also be carried out in a way that minimizes the risk of landslides, while the invasions in the drainage systems will also be eliminated.
“Punjab you have divided into three tourism zones: Northern regions (Murree, Kotli Sattian), Natural Lakes and Rivers, and Southern Punjab. Among these, The Northern Areas Are The Most vulnerable to Weather-Related Risks. The Punjab Government Development Budget of RS18 Billion for the First Time, Aimed at Upgraing Existing Tourist Spots, Improving Safety Measures, and Reviving New Destinations, “said Anwar.
The Secretary of Tourism also urged the public to verify the climate updates and security of the website of the Tourism Department and the PDMA help line before planning any trip, to avoid any unpleasant incident.
