Chill in the air as autumn rain arrives

Sales of summer refreshments dip as winter delights make inroads

RAWALPINDI:

With the arrival of autumn and its first rain, Rawalpindi residents have started to feel the chill in the air.

The mornings and evenings have become noticeably colder as the sun sets, leading to a decline in the sales of summer refreshments such as lemon soda, tamarind juice, and jaggery cola (shakar cola).

Consequently, kiosks selling these beverages have temporarily closed their doors. In contrast, stalls offering warm comfort foods like soup, pakoras, and chips have begun to make their appearance, catering to the changing preferences of the citizens.

The shift in weather conditions has also brought about changes in household habits. As autumn approaches, the focus has shifted to preparing warm blankets.

In anticipation of the colder months ahead, vendors and flea markets have sprung up in both large and small bazaars, offering a wide range of warm clothing options. Raja Bazaar, Iqbal Road, Jamia Masjid Road, Pul Shah Nazar, Railway Road, and Saddar have become hubs for selling used winter clothes, which are sourced from foreign countries.

These markets boast an array of items such as warm clothing, shalwar kameez, coats, sweaters, socks, dresses, jackets, shoes, and mufflers.

However, this year has witnessed a notable increase in the cost of imported used warm clothing due to the imposition of taxes and levies, making them less affordable for the average person.

Warm jackets are now priced between Rs1,200 and Rs2,000, while warm coats for men range from Rs800 to Rs1,500. Men's warm sweaters are available from Rs500 to Rs1,200, socks range from Rs150 to Rs200, and shoes are priced at Rs2,000.

For ladies, coats are selling between Rs900 to Rs1,400, shawls for Rs500 to Rs800, and sweaters for Rs400 to Rs600.

Ladies' jackets are available for Rs1,500 to Rs2,500, while kids' sweaters cost around Rs800.

The dip in temperatures also affects street food prices, with the cost of a cup of soup with an egg now at Rs150, while a cup without an egg is priced at Rs120. Additionally, a dozen potato samosas have seen a price increase to Rs650.

As the demand for heaters surges, they are gradually replacing air conditioners and room coolers in the open market. Both electric and gas heaters are now in high demand, with many consumers opting for installment payment options.

Every year when showers cause a sudden dip in temperatures, the demand for winter delights such as warm soups, fried fish, teas and other edible items such as ‘gajar ka halwa’ increases considerably in the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi.

Several stalls selling these delights at various markets including Melody Market, Karachi Company, Jinnah Super Market, Super Market, Abpara Market, Satellite Town, Raja Bazaar, Moti Bazaar, Murree Road and various other markets attract a large number of customers.
Meanwhile, the demand for desi cuisine such as ‘halwa puri’ and ‘naan payee’ also spikes.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 29^th, 2023.