Residents turn to Swat River to escape the scorching heat during the long hours of load shedding. PHOTO: ESPRESS
SWAT: With temperatures soaring and extended hours of load shedding offering no respite for fasting residents of the mountainous Swat valley, hundreds have turned towards the cold waters in the Swat River.
With 18 hours of load shedding, some people jump into the river for a swim. Not only does the chilly waters of the Swat River help against the heat, it also helps while the time till Iftari.
“One cannot stay at home in this scorching heat without electricity so we come to the River at 2pm. Here, we friends swim and enjoy the cold water till 5pm, then go back,” said Saad, a resident of Nawakaley who was swimming with many other young swimmers.
The river in many locations is swarmed with people of every age enjoy the cold waters of the Swat River.
“There is no electricity in the holy month of Ramazan. We have taken our pre-dawn meal at 3 Am and till this time there is no electricity, so we have nothing else to do than to come here. This River is the remedy of the scorching heat,” said Zakirullah, a resident of Salanda.
Wajid Ali, a young man from Pataney who came with his friends to By-pass area was looking fresh and happy after a swim.
He said that Swat is a heaven where the River is a real blessing.
“We have forgotten the heat, thirst and hunger after bathing in the river. This is a place of fun which gives us satisfaction and excitement. We come here by hiring a rickshaw for Rs150. We request everyone in the country to come here and enjoy the cold water of the Swat River,” said Ali said.
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