PESHAWAR: Rescue teams continued operations on Saturday to evacuate people trapped by heavy snowfall in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Tirah Valley, officials said.
A large number of displaced families leaving Tirah ahead of a planned operation became stranded during a snowstorm in Khyber district on Friday.
Rescue 1122 spokesperson Bilal Ahmed Faizi said rescue teams were actively working to assist those trapped in the valley. He said the operation remained ongoing.
Faizi said Rescue 1122 had rescued more than 1,500 people and 350 vehicles so far. Teams shifted them to safe locations during the operation. He added that more than 100 people also received medical assistance.
Faizi said over 100 Rescue 1122 personnel and officers were participating in the operation. He said teams had arrived from Khyber, Peshawar, Mardan, Nowshera and Swabi.
In a later statement, Faizi said the rescue operation had continued for more than 36 hours.
He said rescue personnel remained in the field despite severe cold, sub-zero temperatures and difficult terrain. He said teams continued rescue activities without interruption.
Earlier, the Khyber district administration suspended the evacuation of more families from Tirah Valley on Thursday. Officials asked residents to avoid travelling to Bara until Friday evening due to heavy snowfall and poor weather.
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the National Highways and Motorway Police said authorities opened the Murree Expressway to limited traffic after weather conditions improved.
The spokesperson warned that changing weather and heavy traffic could lead to another closure of the Murree Expressway. He urged citizens to avoid unnecessary travel.
The spokesperson said motorway police personnel performed their duties diligently during the snowfall. He said officers managed traffic according to the situation and led operations from the field.
According to the motorway police, more rain and snowfall are expected in Murree and Galiyat on Monday and Tuesday.
The NHMP media wing asked tourists to cooperate with the Motorway Police. It said officers would remain on alert round the clock to prevent emergencies.
The department said the Motorway Police would guide and protect travellers. It advised citizens to contact helpline 130 in emergencies. It also urged people to check official social media updates before travelling.