CHITRAL: The mountain peaks in Chitral received the first snowfall of the season, causing abrupt fall of temperature and sending cold waves across the valley.

The Lowari Pass in the south and Shandur Pass in the north-east connecting the district with the rest of the country also received light snow, which disturbed the flow of vehicular traffic for many hours.

The white strips of snow have adorned the peaks of mountains of Hindu Kush Range and can be seen from any part of the valley, presenting an eye-catching view

Nasir Ahmed Khan, a passenger coming to Chitral through Lowari top, told Dawn that after crossing the top, they had to walk on foot as the vehicles were skidding off the road.

People can be seen wearing woolies to save themselves from the cold waves.

The shepherds had to rush the cattle from the higher pasture to the lower areas in haste due to the intense cold atmosphere there.

The local people said that the snowfall in Chitral in the earlier days of the month of October was unusual.

It had a negative impact on the germination process of wheat and barley crops, which had been recently sown in upper Chitral, they added.

Haji Zarin Shah, a senior citizen, said that earlier snowfall in the valley was not considered a good omen during the coming season of winter as scanty snowfall and drought had been observed in such cases.

“Each time we have seen earlier snowfall in the mountains, we have faced drought during the forthcoming season of spring and this not a good omen,” he said.

Meanwhile, the remotest valleys of Chitral situated in its extreme north and north-east including Terich, Yarkhoon, Khot and Rech have started beaming with the signals of a mobile phone company. The areas were devoid of the facilities of telecommunication.

MNA Shahzada Iftikharud Din told Dawn here on Tuesday that more than 90 per cent villages were provided with the facility of mobile phone coverage as installation of land line phone was not possible due to topography of the areas.

He appreciated the contribution of Universal Services Fund for making it possible to provide the facility to the remote areas of Chitral.

Published in Dawn, October 12th, 2016