KARACHI: As the cold wave continues to grip the city, various sections of Karachiites are meeting it in their different peculiar ways to mitigate its impact.

For well-off people it has brought an opportunity to take out their trendy, leather garments they have been looking to make use of for months. Those who cannot afford new warm clothes are seen bargaining for second-hand stuff at temporary stalls set up in every nook and cranny of the city as well as the Lighthouse market.

Similarly, those who can afford, treat themselves with hot fish, mutton and chicken dishes at restaurants, sipping hot soups and imported coffee cups. Those with shrinking means, thanks to the high inflation rate, just settle with the watery ‘chicken soup’ selling at roadsides and in marketplaces everywhere. In low-income areas hawkers with baskets of boiled eggs can be heard shouting ‘garam anday’ to cater to the needs of the residents.

The motorbike riders may be spotted wearing all sorts of pieces that can protect them against the cold evening winds — jackets, gloves, mufflers, helmets, socks etc.These accessories are abundantly available on roadsides these days.

Those forced to live in the open, such as night watchmen, people accompanying their ailing family members admitted to government or charity hospitals sit around bonfires to keep themselves warm. A qehva, or green tea, seller holding a big aluminium kettle and a wire holder for the tiny glass cups is always at hand to serve such people.

Homeless people, however, are the most vulnerable to harsh winter nights. Those in groups burn pieces of wood and cardboard to keep themselves safe from the biting cold. Some others can be seen lying on footpaths and under bridges, wrapped in whatever bed clothes are available to them.

Published in Dawn, January 12th, 2020