First Snowfall of Season Blankets Galiyat Hills in White

News Desk 

Rawalpindi: The Galiyat region experienced its first snowfall of the season on New Year’s night, which continued into the morning, signaling the official onset of winter and bringing both scenic beauty and challenges for traffic and mobility.

Nathiagali received approximately eight inches of snow, while Changlagali recorded around one foot, creating a picturesque winter landscape for tourists.

To ensure smooth traffic flow and the safety of residents and visitors, Traffic Police Abbottabad, under the supervision of SSP (Traffic) Qamar Hayat Khan, made special arrangements across the Galiyat region. 

Officers and personnel were deployed around the clock at key locations to manage traffic, prevent congestion, reduce the risk of accidents, and provide immediate assistance in emergencies. 

Read More: https://thepenpk.com/high-alert-issued-in-murree-amid-severe-weather-forecast/

They also guided tourists on alternative routes, designated parking areas, and precautionary measures in view of the prevailing weather conditions.

In line with the good governance guidelines issued by the Chief Minister and Chief Secretary of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the Galiyat Development Authority (GDA) also took proactive measures. Heavy machinery was deployed on town roads to clear snow promptly and maintain smooth traffic flow. 

GDA control rooms were made fully operational to assist tourists facing any difficulty or emergency.

GDA staff are available 24/7 to provide guidance and support. Tourists have been advised to follow precautionary measures issued by the authority, stay updated with weather forecasts, and exercise extra caution while traveling in the Galiyat region during the winter season.

Protecting Abbottabad’s natural beauty is our collective responsibility: Commissioner

Commissioner Hazara Fayyaz Ali Shah on Thursday said that preserving the natural beauty of Abbottabad is a shared responsibility of all stakeholders as he chaired an important meeting to review the city’s cleanliness, beautification and the removal of illegal encroachments.

During the meeting, the commissioner issued strict directives for an immediate ban on hill cutting, made it mandatory to obtain a no-objection certificate (NOC) before carrying out any road excavation, and ordered the prompt removal of temporary illegal encroachments across the city.

He also announced painting competitions among students along major roads and the installation of a prominent monument at Abbottabad Adda as part of the city’s beautification plan.

Fayyaz Ali Shah directed officials of the Hazara Electric Supply Company (HESCO) to conduct a joint survey with the deputy commissioner Abbottabad of all electricity poles installed along the Karakoram Highway.

He instructed them to submit a detailed assessment report regarding the relocation and reinstallation of the poles away from the main road to ensure smooth traffic flow and enhance the city’s appearance.

The commissioner further ordered the removal of all illegal occupations from the Karakoram Highway and its right of way, announced the launch of a city-wide tree plantation campaign in March, and urged civil society and citizens to maintain cleanliness, use environmentally friendly shopping bags, and fully cooperate with the district administration to make Abbottabad clean, green and beautiful.