For instance Wajid, who studies in class 2, cannot go to school. “We cannot descend the mountain, especially in the morning when the snow is slippery, due to which we are forced to stay home.”
On other days when they are allowed to go to school, it takes twice as long as normal to reach the school.
Then there’s the issue about many cars being stranded in their parking spots for the entire winter.
“I bought dry hay for my animals last night but my vehicle could not go up the mountain so I unloaded the hay and hired a truck with chains, which charged me double the normal rate,” said 70-year-old Toti Rehman. Only vehicles with snow chains are able to climb up the road.
Musaffar, another resident, said, “The snow season is like a prison for us. We are poor people and rely on daily labour but during snow season we often spend days without employment. Our children often get ill and taking them to the hospital is nothing but a hassle.”
Zarina, a 55-year-old woman carrying grass for her animals, also seemed disenchanted with the harsh weather.
“I don’t understand what is there to enjoy in the snow. We cannot perform our work. Washing clothes and dishes becomes so difficult in this weather,” she said.
“My legs also ache in this cold and there is a risk of roof collapse if we don’t remove the snow in time,” she added.
People also complained that daily-use commodities become expensive in the cold weather.
Rahim Dad, a local shopkeeper, explained, “It costs us more to bring them up here, so we have to pass along the burden.”
He added, “If we sell them at normal rates we cannot make ends meet.”
Published in The Express Tribune, January 2nd, 2012.
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