KHYBER: While the district administration is carrying out damage assessment after last week’s torrential rains, residents celebrate the flowing of water in the streams that had dried up decades ago as well as the “emergence” of waterfalls at some places.

Nature lovers, especially youth, from the adjoining areas of Peshawar, Shabqadar, Momand, and even Nowshera are thronging the picturesque spots in Khyber Pass.

Large crowds of visitors are reported at downpour-created waterfalls in Mazreena hilly area of Sultankhel and two on the roadside between Landi Kotal Bazaar and the historical Michni checkpoint.

The dry terrain of Ashkhel in Landi Kotal, which also turned “green” due to the recent rains, as well as the narrow streams of excess rainwater flowing around, are also attracting picnickers.

Downpour may help address water shortage in summer

The surroundings of Ashkhel plateau, along with steep places near waterfalls on the road to Torkham and Mazreena, were filled with the mouth-watering aroma of barbecue arranged by groups of visitors amid music and traditional dances.

Shahid Khan, 22, went all the way from Shabqadar area in Charsadda district to the Mazreena fall along with friends after seeing social media videos of the waterfall.

“It’s really wonderful and a befitting return of our money we spent on the fuel to come here,” he told Dawn at the bottom of the waterfall, taking selfies with friends.

They brought chapli kebab, soft drinks, and snacks along from Peshawar for lunch.

Zahidullah, 18-year-old resident of Mirdadkhel village in Landi Kotal, said for the first time he saw waterfalls in Landi Kotal, which recorded less rainfall than normal.

He said he had a wonderful Eid with his schoolmates visiting rain-induced waterfalls, Ashkhel, and the surrounding hilly areas that turned very attractive after the recent heavy rains.

“Hills in the surrounding localities were very dry at the beginning of this spring due to little rainfall but they turned green all of a sudden after the downpour,” he said.

Food outlets in Landi Kotal Bazaar reported high sales due to the influx of locals as well as tourists.

The local elders and some clerics have a complaint about the spike in visitor arrivals, especially from outside the region.

During a jirga in the Ashkhel area, they demanded a ban on the playing of music at the local picnic spots. The participants also urged the young joy-seekers to desist from activities that go against the local culture.

They told Dawn that they were not opposed to “healthy” entertainment and would continue to welcome and respect all those from outside the region as guests.

The residents of Landi Kotal and adjoining localities complained about scanty rainfall in the last several months and said the region was hit by an acute shortage of drinking water because, firstly, the water table was depleting fast and, secondly, there was no proper strategy to conserve rainwater.

They, however, said last week’s heavy rainfall had addressed the longstanding water issue for a good time.

Azmat Ali, a Khugakhel resident, told Dawn that almost all natural wells, along with dug-up wells, were full to the brim after the recent heavy rains.

“Though the downpour destroyed many houses and brought misery to many residents, it certainly will help address the shortage of drinking water in the approaching summer season,” he said.

Another resident, Sudhir Ahmad Afridi, advocated the construction of barani dams to conserve rainwater and utilise it when the need arises.

Published in Dawn, April 28th, 2024