Last week, the Kashmir Valley received a fresh spell of snowfall. In Hall village of south Kashmir's Pulwama district, dozens of nomadic families are put up in makeshift tents, surrounded by snow. With no blankets and firewood to grant them some respite from the cold, these families are pleading for help.
Last week, the Kashmir Valley received a fresh spell of snowfall. The minimum temperatures --during this winter -- have tumbled down to -15 degrees in parts of the valley. According to the weathermen, the Valley witnessed such a frigid climate after a hiatus of 30 years. While the frightful climate compounded the problems of local residents in general, the nomadic community of Gujjar and Bakerwals, staying in tarpaulin tents at various parts of the valley have been bearing the brunt of frosty winters. In Hall village of south Kashmir's Pulwama district, dozens of such nomadic families are living in makeshift tents.
Frozen to the marrow, the poor families are struggling hard to keep the winter chill at bay. The residents keep their mud stoves burning round-the-clock to keep themselves warm amid knee-high snowfall. They explain that have not received any help from the government. It may be recalled here that just last month two children of the community died in neighbouring Kulgam district in a space of fewer than 24 hours due to the intense cold. Members of the community say that it breaks their heart to even recall the incident.
While they make fervent appeals for help to the government, they also request locals to donate their cast-off clothes to them so that they can fight the biting chill.
Watch their story here:
(Cover image for representative purposes only)
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