MUZAFFARABAD: With the advent of rains and snowfall, the administration in Neelum valley of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) has directed all departments concerned to “expediently and promptly” deal with any emergency situation.

It has also called upon the tourists and local residents to take all possible precautionary measures to avoid any losses at the hands of rains and snowfall.

In a statement issued on Monday, Raja Arif Mahmood, deputy commissioner and head of the district disaster management authority in Neelum, informed that it had been raining in the lower belt of Neelum valley and snowing in the upper belt of the valley.

Around two feet of snow was reported to have fallen in the upper areas of Taobat, Shounthar, Ghummot and one foot of snow in Kel, Gurez, Surgan and Jagran areas, he said.

Since there were fears of landslides at various places along the main artery due to the ongoing rainy spell, not only the tourists but also the locals were advised to avoid unnecessary travel, he added.

“In the first place, people should avoid tourist excursions to the mountainous areas during rains and especially snowfalls and if they are determined to go ahead with their plans they should not forget to observe all possible precautions.”

The deputy commissioner advised the tourists to travel only in 4x4 vehicles towards the upper belt of Neelum and keep the speed of their vehicles slow in the current season which multiplied the risk of slipperiness.

“Prefer to stay in the nearby hotels or rest-houses in case of heavy rain or snow and rearrange your tour plan accordingly when the weather shows improvement,” he said.

Mr Mahmood went on to advise the tourists to make warm sheets and blankets as well as dry fruits and mobile top-up cards as part of their luggage.

He informed that the machinery of the highways department had been deployed at various vulnerable points of the main Neelum valley road to keep it open for traffic.

At present, the main road is open for all kinds of vehicles from Nauseri to Kel, located some 40 and 156 kilometres respectively, from Muzaffarabad. Beyond Kel, it was open up to the last village of Taobutt only for 4x4 vehicles, he said.

However, the connecting link roads of Gurez, Shounthar and Surgan were closed due to snowfall, he added. Mr Mahmood said that the emergency/rescue service 1122, traffic and tourist police, civil defence department and highways department had been issued standing instructions to be fully prepared to meet any eventually in a timely and befitting manner.

Published in Dawn, January 30th, 2024