[Pictorial] Harsh winter takes control of life in Gilgit – Baltistan
Life in the mountainous Gilgit – Baltistan region has taken a harsh turn with to arrival of winters. The impact of temperature drop is being felt even more by tens of thousands of people because of the rise in prices of firewood, natural gas and absence of electricity across the region. The government has failed to control timber and gas traders who have increased the prices of commodities beyond the reach of ordinary people.
The situation has worsened even in semi-urban areas like Gilgit, Skardu Gahkuch and Aliabad, where people are complaining about higher prices of fuel and other commodities. The temperature in Skardu has reduced to -11 degree centigrade, during the last 24 hours, PakMet has reported.
Snowfall and temperature-drop in the far flung areas adds more to the misery of people, especially the relatively impoverished, leading to an increase in frequency of deaths, mostly of senior citizens.
The situation is also deteriorating due to absence of health facilities in the remote areas.
