Unusual snowfall stranded locals, put crops at risk in South Waziristan
Farooq Mahsud
South Waziristan: It is an unusual development in South Waziristan when the valley receives a heavy snowfall and hail right at the time when the crops are ready to be harvested, said Noor Ali Wazir while talking to The PenPK.com.
Local Journalist Ali Wazir said that due to heavy rain and snowfall, many roads have been blocked in the region, adding that people from various areas are requesting help to open the roads by calling the concerned officials.
Moreover, there is a severe shortage of food and drinkable water in many areas, told Noor Ali. He also revealed that snow and hail have occurred on the standing wheat crop, posing a significant risk of damage.
Additionally, the Wana Tehsil (a subdivision located in South Waziristan District), which is famous for its apple production, has also been affected by a recent hailstorm. Resultantly, the crop has also suffered a significant loss, told Wazir.
It is to be mentioned here that South Waziristan is currently experiencing an unusual weather pattern that has resulted in heavy snowfall in high-altitude areas, including PreyGhal, Shawal, Badar Valley, Mantoi, Angur Adda, and Shakai. Along with heavy snowfall, the plain areas have been receiving rainfall and hail for the past 24 hours.
Due to heavy rain, the roof of a house collapsed in the area of Birmal, Zam China, resulting in the death of a woman and a girl injured. The wounded girl was taken to the hospital for treatment, where her condition is stated to be stable.
Abdul Rashid, a 55-year-old resident of Badar Valley, said that the weather has suddenly changed, and in Southern Waziristan, the current weather is neither too hot nor too cold these days. However, this year, the intensity of summer heat has suddenly increased.
Over the last two days, the weather has abruptly changed and snowfall has begun, affecting not only daily life but also crops and agriculture. Due to the road closures, local residents are facing severe difficulties in commuting and acquiring basic necessities.
Razaq, a resident of Tehsil Bermal, Angoor Adda, stated that there is so much snow that people cannot leave their homes.
UN chief @antonioguterres is calling on countries to take #ClimateActionNow and beat #ClimateChange this #WorldMeteorologicalDay @WMO
Full story⬇️https://t.co/ptGsn5S2ZE— UN News (@UN_News_Centre) March 23, 2023
Deputy Commissioner Ashfaq Ahmed informed that the concerned departments have been ordered to take immediate action to open the roads at the locations where residents are blocked due to snowfall and rainfall. They have also been instructed to conduct damage assessments and carry out immediate work to address any losses
It is a difficult situation for the locals, who are facing unprecedented weather conditions and struggling to cope with the aftermath of changing weather patterns.
Flooding, heavy down pours, snow and hailstones, all natural calamities directly related to the global changes in the climate. These will become more and more frequent and more devastating in impact on the lives of communities, particularly, in different regions of Pakistan.
Pakistan is totally hapless to provide any level of support and relief to the affected communities, prevented by the empty government coffers, archaic infrastructure, lack of vision and planning and of course corruption and squandering of resources. Pakistan is the country that fails to learn lessons, blames others for it’s ills and refuses to take responsibility. This culture of ineptness has taken hold in which Pakistan is finding a way forward.
Nice information