Suhail Rather
Bandipora, Jan 29: On Monday morning when Gurez woke up to a blanket of snow outside, the people celebrated the much-awaited snow but it came with seasonal woes too. The valley also got cut off from the rest of the world with Bandipora-Gurez road closed-the only road link between the rest of the world and Gurez valley.
After the valley receives fresh snowfall, the Deputy Commissioner Bandipora Monday ordered closure of Bandipora-Gurez road for all types of vehicular movement, with immediate effect, till further orders.
So far, the extended dry spell in Kashmir has kept the Gurez valley connected by road with the rest of the valley, a closure that would usually occur in October.
Dozens of villages near the Line of Control (LoC) grapple with heavy snowfall that blankets the region, rendering roads impassable and triggering severe shortages of essential commodities often.
The gateway to Gurez, the Razdan Pass, connecting the border town with Bandipora, experiences several feet of snow during the winter months.
This natural barrier transforms the area into a winter wonderland but simultaneously creates a formidable challenge for the residents. Settlements nestled in this snow-clad landscape find themselves enveloped in isolation, prompting meticulous preparations for the impending winter months
As the snow blankets the region, residents are caged in their homes, armed with a stockpile of canned goods, dried vegetables, and firewood or coal. The waiting game begins, with patience being the only ally until the arrival of spring.
For Ishfaq Ahmad, a local resident, the long months of isolation mean engaging in handicrafts for sale, listening to Shina and Kashmiri music, tending to cattle, and visiting neighbours. It's a period when traditional songs resonate through homes, and folk tales are shared among friends gathered to combat the solitude imposed by nature.
However, beyond the camaraderie and cultural preservation, the greatest concern during the extended winter is healthcare. The snow-clad region, comprising 15 sub-villages, remains cut off from the rest of the world, leading to multiple administrative challenges and causing panic among the locals. Critically ill patients have limited options during winter but to be airlifted to other hospitals
The closure of roads, exacerbated by continuous snowfall, complicates the situation to such an extent that villagers cannot even reach the sub-district hospital. This winter, the struggle was so intense that bringing corpses to their native areas became an arduous task, delayed for several days.
To address medical emergencies, the administration has pressed helicopters into service during winter. While this has been crucial for evacuating critically ill patients and students, the reliance on chopper services during emergencies raises concerns, particularly when weather conditions are unfavourable, rendering the helicopters inoperable.
Despite the challenges, the resilient community of Gurez has found solace in their cultural practices and mutual support. Ahmad and his friends contribute money during heavy snowfall to assemble and sing traditional songs, fostering a sense of unity and shared heritage.
However, the harsh weather conditions also force many residents to migrate to other parts of the valley, seeking respite from the challenges posed by heavy snowfall, scarcity of essential commodities, and healthcare emergencies.
The closure of roads prompts migration, as residents lose daily earning opportunities due to the unavailability of work. Keeping a substantial stock of firewood and essential food items, including rice, oil, and dried vegetables, becomes a necessity during the winter months when the region remains buried under several feet of snow, severed from the rest of the valley.
Expressing their collective need for a sustainable solution, residents of Gurez have been advocating for the construction of a tunnel at high-altitude tops. Such a tunnel, they believe, would facilitate year-round traffic movement, connecting towns with district headquarters and alleviating the challenges posed by winter closures.
