Winter worry: Unexpected snowfall rakes in trouble for tribesmen
Say they do not have the facilities to cope with such weather conditions.
Say they do not have the facilities to cope with such weather conditions. PHOTO: FILE
DERA ISMAIL KHAN:
After the first snowfall in the tribal areas last week, residents are confronted with a number of difficulties due to a lack of appropriate facilities to tackle harsh temperatures.
Meteorologists claim this is the first time temperatures have plummeted below zero degrees in several areas. Locals in Miranshah maintain the region has seen snowfall after almost three decades.
Temperatures have also dropped in adjacent southern Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa districts along with Frontier Region (FR) DI Khan and FR Tank – areas that witnessed snowfall.
While the snow has been welcomed by many, it also means no electricity and link routes through the snow-laden mountains blocked. Deforestation and burning of forest trees has increased as people look to keep themselves warm.
A resident of Angoor Adda, Din Muhammad said he had to stay at Wana Rustam Bazaar for an entire night because roads to Birmal, where he resides, have been blocked by snow. “I’m still looking for a way out from here to reach my house,” he added.
Another tribal elder said in absence of electricity, residents depend on lanterns or candles to light up their houses. He added it was extremely difficult to cater to ailing people, because it is very complicated to shift them to hospitals under such harsh conditions.
The elder also complained about security check posts in different areas of Waziristan. He said the people of the tribal areas are not familiar with such things, which are only a “nuisance” for people.
Shah Wali, a resident of North Waziristan, said the price of coal is very high, making it difficult for most people to afford it. The weather also grew harsher in DI Khan where people thronged the markets for secondhand clothes to buy winter attire.
Tent fire
Tents belonging to the Dottani tribe near Jalaibi chowk on DI Khan-Daraban Road caught fire on Tuesday, resulting in material losses. Fortunately, no loss of life was reported.
Dera Town police along with the help of fire brigades put the fire out, said a police official.
An elder of the Dottani tribe said the tents caught fire at around midnight. While some tents were completely destroyed, others were partially damaged.
“Children had lit a fire to keep them warm, which went out of control and engulfed the tents due to dry and cold weather. We are lucky that our children remained safe throughout the incident,” said the elder.
One tractor, a motorbike, Rs400,000 in cash, jewellery and 60 bags of wheat were burnt in the fire.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 2nd, 2014.
After the first snowfall in the tribal areas last week, residents are confronted with a number of difficulties due to a lack of appropriate facilities to tackle harsh temperatures.
Meteorologists claim this is the first time temperatures have plummeted below zero degrees in several areas. Locals in Miranshah maintain the region has seen snowfall after almost three decades.
Temperatures have also dropped in adjacent southern Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa districts along with Frontier Region (FR) DI Khan and FR Tank – areas that witnessed snowfall.
While the snow has been welcomed by many, it also means no electricity and link routes through the snow-laden mountains blocked. Deforestation and burning of forest trees has increased as people look to keep themselves warm.
A resident of Angoor Adda, Din Muhammad said he had to stay at Wana Rustam Bazaar for an entire night because roads to Birmal, where he resides, have been blocked by snow. “I’m still looking for a way out from here to reach my house,” he added.
Another tribal elder said in absence of electricity, residents depend on lanterns or candles to light up their houses. He added it was extremely difficult to cater to ailing people, because it is very complicated to shift them to hospitals under such harsh conditions.
The elder also complained about security check posts in different areas of Waziristan. He said the people of the tribal areas are not familiar with such things, which are only a “nuisance” for people.
Shah Wali, a resident of North Waziristan, said the price of coal is very high, making it difficult for most people to afford it. The weather also grew harsher in DI Khan where people thronged the markets for secondhand clothes to buy winter attire.
Tent fire
Tents belonging to the Dottani tribe near Jalaibi chowk on DI Khan-Daraban Road caught fire on Tuesday, resulting in material losses. Fortunately, no loss of life was reported.
Dera Town police along with the help of fire brigades put the fire out, said a police official.
An elder of the Dottani tribe said the tents caught fire at around midnight. While some tents were completely destroyed, others were partially damaged.
“Children had lit a fire to keep them warm, which went out of control and engulfed the tents due to dry and cold weather. We are lucky that our children remained safe throughout the incident,” said the elder.
One tractor, a motorbike, Rs400,000 in cash, jewellery and 60 bags of wheat were burnt in the fire.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 2nd, 2014.