LAHORE:
Where the recent pattern of heavy rains, landslides, and flash floods across Pakistan’s northern regions has caused significant loss of life and property for the local population, it has also ruined the summer itineraries of several seasonal tourists from across various cities.
According to the Meteorological Department, this monsoon season has brought far more rain than usual. In Chakwal alone, 423 mm of rainfall was recorded by mid-July, which is twice the multi-year average. Roads were blocked in Murree, Soon Valley, Kalabagh, and other locations, leaving dozens of tourists stranded while rescue operations too were severely hampered due to ongoing downpours.
In Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, at least 13 tourists drowned while spending time near the Swat river. The sudden rise in water levels and a lack of safety measures contributed to the tragedy. Similarly, in Gilgit-Baltistan’s Diamer district, three people were killed and 15 reported missing due to landslides, while several sections of the Karakoram Highway were also closed.
Following these dangerous incidents, a noticeable decline has been observed in the willingness of tourists to travel to the north. Imran Ahmed, a resident of Lahore, said, “We used to visit Murree or Kalam every year, but the recent tragedies are heartbreaking.” Another citizen, Tariq Mahmood, shared, “While on the way to Soon Valley, we got reports of landslides and decided to return. These areas no longer feel safe.”
Experts believe that extreme weather, encroachments, and weak infrastructure are putting tourist destinations at serious risk hence amplifying the urgent need for the government to focus on early warning systems, emergency planning, and environmental protection.
Nadeem Shehzad, a well-known tour operator from Lahore, confirmed that many tours were cancelled at the start of July due to unexpected weather conditions. “Tourists were instead offered safer alternatives, which most accepted. While the summer season is peak business time for the tourism industry, professional operators always prioritize the safety of their clients. Some unlicensed tour operators, however, use misleading social media content to encourage trips to high-risk areas, which can be life-threatening,” informed Shehzad.
In response to the situation, the Punjab Tourism Department has decided to introduce Tourism Quality Standards at all tourist spots. According to Tourism Secretary Raja Jahangir Anwar, health and safety protocols will be made mandatory at all destinations. Road construction will also be carried out in a way that minimizes the risk of landslides, while encroachments on drainage systems will also be removed.
“Punjab has been divided into three tourism zones: northern regions (Murree, Kotli Sattian), natural lakes and rivers, and southern Punjab. Among these, the northern areas are the most vulnerable to weather-related risks. The Punjab government has allocated a tourism development budget of Rs18 billion for the first time, aimed at upgrading existing tourist spots, improving safety measures, and reviving new destinations,” claimed Anwar.
The Tourism Secretary further urged the public to check weather and security updates from the Tourism Department’s website and the PDMA helpline before planning any trips, in order to avoid any unpleasant incidents.
