A wake-up call – By: Aqib Ullah
Chitral, a far-flung district of KPK, is once again facing the brunt of climate change this year, experiencing heavy snowfall for the past four days.
This abrupt weather change, leaving uncertainty about the onset of winter and the return of summer, indicates that this winter may last longer than usual. While snowfall is occasionally expected in February, this year, a heavy snowfall has already occurred at the outset of January. It remains uncertain what challenges the coming months may bring for this region. Therefore, instead of waiting for a dire situation, it would be prudent to take action now by implementing a weather emergency to handle the unpredictable conditions effectively.
The housing infrastructure in Chitral is not robust enough to endure further unexpected snowfall. It would be wise for the provincial government to prepare in advance, as we have already seen how people become homeless and living conditions worsen for the destitute who lack proper preparation.
The onus is on the KPK government to declare an emergency and formulate proper planning now to avoid chaos during severe weather conditions. Emergency offices and a special ad-hoc task force should be established to address any unfortunate situations. The road conditions and electricity issues in many areas need immediate attention.
Implementing an emergency plan in both lower and upper Chitral is essential now, or the situation will worsen as winter continues for many months.
