MURREE: A landslide on the Murree-Islamabad Expressway caused large rocks to fall from the mountains, damaging half of the road.
According to Murree Deputy Commissioner (DC), a major portion of the expressway was blocked after heavy rocks rolled down, making the route unsafe for vehicles. He warned that more parts of the road could come under the risk of landsliding.
Authorities have completely closed the affected section for all types of traffic to avoid accidents. The DC assured that the road will be cleared soon and reopened for commuters.
Meanwhile, a day earlier, Director General of the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) had appealed to tourists to avoid traveling to Murree due to dangerous weather conditions.
Speaking to media in Rawalpindi, the DG PDMA said the seventh spell of monsoon is continuing and more rains are expected in the next 48 hours, with the risk of cloudbursts in hilly areas.
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He said around 450,000 cusecs of water is flowing in the Indus River, and people living along the riverbanks are being shifted to safer places.
He also warned of flash flooding in the Potohar region, adding that advance alerts have been issued for Chakwal, Jhelum, and Rawalpindi. The DG PDMA noted that there is also a risk of further landslides in Murree, as witnessed again today on the expressway.
DG Irfan Ali Kathia said Punjab Chief Minister has contacted the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister, and both provincial governments are in coordination. He added that the Punjab government will extend all possible help to the people of K-P.
