ISLAMABAD: Keeping in view heavy snowfall in the northern areas of Pakistan, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has advised tourists not to visit hilly-chilly areas to stay safe in this winter season.
The NDMA said, the traveling guidelines have issued to tourists to check the weather predictions, websites, and social media of the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) before exploring northern areas where the temperature has fallen to freezing point at nights.
According to NDMA, the visitors should check the road situation of the intended route from the helpline and websites of National Highways and Motorway Police before moving in the risky areas.
Tourists have been asked to arrange proper accommodation, keep essential medicines, warm clothing for extreme weather, and food items for at least 24 hours.
NDMA has also issued an advisory for the local administration by asking them to keep the reporting systems active in vulnerable areas and to engage the local communities at hazard-prone sites.
The guidelines have advised the authorities to generate and propagate the region-specific warnings along with coordination with relevant departments for the pre-placement of appropriate machinery at choke points.
The advisory has also stressed devising city-based snow clearance and traffic management plans.
