Chitral. -- Sand Flies have taken over from traditional mosquitoes in Chitral town, which are reportedly attacking those people sleeping both indoors and outdoors at night without fans , due to absence of electricity.  Also known as 'biting midges', and 'no-see-um', these tiny irritants are known as 'shonukoo,'', shogoonu' or 'kishun' in the khowar language and traditionally have been taken lightly compared to their elder sisters the inevitable mosquitoes.(kogoonu).  This year however unusual phenomenon sees the mosquitoes out and completely replaced by these sand fly family members in large numbers The reasons are not being comprehended by the average affectee, but general environmental changes are quoted as reasons. -- CN report, 13 July 2011.

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