Kamal Hyder: Semblance of normality returning to Kandahar

Journalist Kamal Hyder in Kandahar, Afghanistan, early Saturday.

(CNN) -- Journalist Kamal Hyder has been reporting from Afghanistan since the onset of U.S.-led airstrikes against military targets in Afghanistan.

Hyder, who arrived Saturday in Kandahar, talked to CNN’s Martin Savidge about the recent developments in the war-torn city.

SAVIDGE: The Taliban stronghold of Kandahar has taken a heavy pounding in the past three weeks of Operation Enduring Freedom. CNN’s Kamal Hyder is in Kandahar with the latest.

HYDER: Martin, this afternoon, as we arrived in Kandahar, we saw a semblance of normality returning to the city. We are told that a few days ago when the bombing campaign was intense, that shopkeepers had closed their shops, and that people were frantically running to and fro.

Now that situation (has) obviously changed with the lull in the bombing campaign.

Later Saturday evening, Hyder talked to CNN's Jeanne Meserve by videophone to talk more about life in Kandahar.

HYDER: Close to a military camp, people were all evacuated. They have left the area and there was not a soul out there, so that was quite a sight. These are poor people -- nomads who have left town.

Also interesting to note... the city doesn't have adequate water supplies anymore and because the electricity pylons were hit, most of the city is dark. Only a few people who can afford to buy generators are running electric power.

MESERVE: What restrictions, if any, has the Taliban placed on what you are able to report or videotape?

HYDER: Jeanne, interestingly, the Taliban has put no restrictions on us. Of course they have told us that at certain times emotions are running and that we should be a little discreet and careful, but we are allowed to go anywhere we want and say whatever we want. So, we don't have anyone sitting around us listening to us.