My year in the Swat Valley

2010 was another turbulent year in the life of Adnan Rashid, Outlook's reporter in Pakistan's Swat Valley.

Happily, Adnan was married in May, but he and others in the mountainous province of Khyber-Pakhtoonkhwa have had to live with many difficult challenges.

"The most dangerous place on earth"

Tourists used to flock to the Swat Valley, drawn by its craggy beauty and lush vegetation.

However in 2009 it became the battleground for the country's brutal offensive against the Taliban - who had effectively taken control there.

The American President Barack Obama then declared it "the most dangerous place on earth."

It is estimated that two million people fled the area, including Adnan and his family.

With a semblance of security restored in the twin cities of Mingora and Saidu Sharif - which are also the region's urban centres - Adnan had high hopes for prosperity and peace in 2010.

But just two months after his wedding, torrential monsoon rains swept into the Swat Valley washing away entire villages, and destroying all its 29 bridges and over 100 hotels.

Now winter is setting in and the people are bracing themselves for the cold weather, and for snow up to ten feet deep.

Special Outlook reports

For Outlook, Adnan shares his unique perspective on the major events in his life in 2010.

We speak to him about organising his wedding party for over 600 guests, and staging a performance of traditional music which risked drawing the attention of militants.

His diaries document some extraordinary personal stories of the way people in Mingora were affected by the flash floods.

And we catch up with Mr and Mrs Rashid at the end of an exhausting year - and hear how they are feeling about 2011.