Neelum Valley: Traffic Advisory Issued for Tourists and Locals in Neelum Valley to Prevent Accidents”zTo curb the increasing number of traffic accidents in hilly areas, the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) of Pakistan-administered Kashmir has issued a travel advisory for both tourists and local travelers. The advisory includes important guidelines on traveling through mountainous and icy regions during the severe cold weather.
The SDMA has warned that the dense fog and frost that develop during early mornings and evenings in the upper hilly areas create extremely slippery roads, making travel dangerous. As a result, tourists and local commuters are advised to avoid traveling in the early morning and evening hours, particularly after sunset.
The advisory emphasizes that traveling in areas such as Upper Neelum, Haveli, Leepa, Peer Chanasi, Toli Pir, Ganga Choti, and other hilly regions during these times could lead to serious accidents. Tourists are urged to check with local authorities for updated road conditions before heading to these areas and to ensure they are traveling in four-wheel-drive vehicles, which are better suited to the tough terrain.
For public convenience, the SDMA has provided contact numbers for travelers to inquire about the weather and road conditions before setting out.
In the Neelum Valley, which attracts millions of tourists annually, many accidents have occurred due to inexperience in driving on mountain roads and the poor condition of the roads. In the past 12 days alone, three separate accidents in the Neelum Valley have claimed the lives of 11 people, most of whom were non-local tourists.
The SDMA urges everyone to adhere to these guidelines to ensure their safety and avoid further accidents in the challenging conditions of the region.
