Rafiullah Mandokhail
ZHOB: The eastern part of Balochistan Zhob valley received the first snowfall of the winter following light rain, intensifying the cold wave and bringing the mercury down here. High-altitude areas including Koh-e-Sulaiman, Shin ghar, Sangayghar, Gustoi, Babar and plain areas including the city received snowfall and rain that began late in the night.
Severe cold also gripped neighboring Sherani district after receiving heavy downpour and snowfall, which restricted the residents of hilly areas to stay indoors. The snowfall in both districts attracted a large number of youngsters and children who thronged to mountains and picnic points to enjoy the weather.
Following the snowfall and biting cold forced majority of the people to avoid unnecessary movement. The government offices and city markets also wore a deserted look due chilly weather.
After rain and snowfall, the prolonged dry spell that caused infectious diseases at last ended. The prolonged dry spell had not only caused water shortage in many rural and urban parts of the district but also had a negative impact on the crops yield. Zhob is a producer of wheat and garlic besides seasonal fruit and vegetables. Over fifty percent of agriculture land depends on rainwater. In many villages wheat cultivated area is rain-fed (Wuchoba).
The people here usually enjoy the winter special cuisine ‘Landi’ – traditional dried meat to protect themselves from the biting cold. Moreover the demand of winter delights like GajarHalwa (prepared with carrots and milk), Jalebee, boiled eggs, pakoras and soup also significantly increased.
On the other hand, the people of the area faced a great deal of inconvenience owing to power tripping and low-voltage that has created numerous problems and multiplied the miseries of people manifold. On the special directives of District Police Officer Muhammad AnwerBadini, for emergency response, a round-the-clock control room has been set up at DPO office, while Assistant Commissioner KakarKhurasaan Muhammad ArifKakar has sent machinery to remove the snow and clear the road in Qamar Din Karez – an area close to Afghan border.
