Srinagar, Nov 16: With the onset of winter, residents of far-flung areas like Gurez in North Kashmir’s Bandipora district are preparing for months of isolation due to heavy snowfall.
Situated about 135 kilometers from Srinagar, Gurez, home to around 45,000 people, faces significant challenges as roads close and temperatures plummet.
On Saturday, the area also received a few inches of snowfall.
Wooden houses remain the primary choice of shelter for Gurez residents, offering better insulation against the biting cold.
However, many families opt to relocate to towns with better amenities and opportunities. Mohammad Ishaq, who recently moved with his family to Bandipora town, cited severe weather, scarcity of essential goods, and lack of medical facilities as reasons for their migration.
“In Gurez, children cannot prepare for competitive exams as we are cut off for months due to heavy snowfall. Farmers and laborers have no source of income, so I decided to rent a house in Bandipora to support my children’s education and find work,” Ishaq said.
Those who remain in Gurez spend the winter months stockpiling essentials to survive the isolation. Youth in the area have found unique ways to stay active, organizing cricket tournaments on snow-covered grounds. “Playing cricket in five feet of snow is our only leisure activity. It helps us stay fit physically and mentally,” said Mohammad Shafi, a farmer’s son.
Gurez, known for its harsh winters, receives about 10 feet of snow annually and is prone to avalanches. Soldiers posted in the region face months of isolation, often losing communication with their families for weeks. “There is no mobile connectivity in the upper areas. We rely on sporadic communication when weather permits,” shared a soldier stationed there.
To sustain themselves during these months, the soldiers also rear livestock, such as cows and yaks, for milk and other essentials.
