Snow caps G-B peaks as dry wood supply depletes

People are forced to stay indoors and consumption of firewood in the area has drastically increased.

GILGIT: Another spell of snowfall lashed the mountains in Gilgit and its surrounding areas on Monday, bringing a fresh spell of cold that has gripped the mountainous region since November.

The weather has forced people to restrict their outdoor movement. Consumption of firewood has also increased, which is the cheapest means of staying warm in the region. Fresh stocks of firewood brought in from Diamer District to depots in Gilgit have depleted.

The overnight spell whitened the mountain peaks and the accompanying fog forced PIA to suspend its sorties to Gilgit-Baltistan on Monday, leaving hundreds of passengers in Gilgit and Islamabad stranded.

“It’s good that the mountains are receiving snowfall as it is good for the environment,” said Altaf Khan, a resident of Gilgit.

However, the amount of snowfall has decreased over the years. Nadeem Mohammad, a senior citizen from Gilgit, said he remembers around five inches of snow until three decades back. “Now I only see white peaks,” he said.

Ibrahim Ali, a student of Karakoram University, said the chill increased their expenditure on heating as firewood burns around-the-clock to keep their rooms warm. “I will freeze if I remain without heating in my room for even a little while,” he said. Ali had to spend an additional Rs5,000 on purchasing dry wood as the temperature dropped to - 7 on Monday.

Meanwhile, residents of Gilgit must contend with the dual threat of inflation and fuel shortages as the supply of dry wood and kerosene oil stands depleted due to increased consumption in the region this week.

Earlier, the government had lifted the ban on transportation of firewood from Chilas to the region.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 18^th, 2011.