Heavy snowfall and rain paralyze Balochistan; one dead, power outages, traffic chaos
Quetta, Pakistan – Web Desk: Balochistan is grappling with severe weather as heavy rain and snowfall continue to lash the province, disrupting daily life across multiple districts. The extreme cold wave has left residents struggling for essential services and mobility.
In Quetta, the provincial capital, and surrounding districts including Qalat, Ziarat, Mastung, Pishin, Killa Abdullah, Chaman, Killa Saifullah, and Zhob, intermittent light to moderate snowfall has caused widespread disruptions. On Monday, a tragic incident occurred in Quetta’s Kali Shahozai Mohammad Shahi town when the roof of a house collapsed, killing one person, Liaqat Ali, while two others sustained injuries. Similarly, in Duki, a shop roof collapsed on Masjid Road, injuring four individuals, all of whom were rushed to nearby hospitals.
The weather has also severely impacted electricity and gas supply. In Quetta, 24 K-Electric feeders tripped due to heavy rain and snow, leaving multiple neighborhoods without power. Low gas pressure further compounded the difficulties faced by residents. Major roads including N-50 connecting Quetta to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Quetta-Chaman highway, and Quetta-Karachi highway have seen traffic disruptions at locations such as Kordak Top, Kolpur, and Dasht due to snow and ice, increasing the risk of accidents. Authorities, including the National Highway Authority (NHA), PDMA, and local administration, deployed heavy machinery for snow clearance and road salting, restoring traffic flow at several points.
Meteorological data recorded over the past 24 hours shows Qalat received nearly 5 inches of snow, while Quetta recorded 0.5 inches. Rainfall was measured at 34mm in Qalat, 17mm in Ziarat, 15mm in Dalbandin, 9mm in Noshki, and 8mm in Naukundi. Minimum temperatures plummeted to -8°C in Ziarat, -7°C in Qalat, -4°C in Quetta, -2°C in Chaman, and -1°C in Zhob.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) predicts continued snowfall in Quetta, Ziarat, Qalat, Chaman, and Pishin through Tuesday. Coastal and southern districts including Gwadar, Pasni, Kech, Panjgur, Washuk, Khuzdar, Awaran, and Chagai are expected to experience heavy rainfall, raising flood risks in rivers and streams.
Traffic authorities have issued safety guidelines urging citizens to avoid unnecessary travel, drive cautiously, use fog lights, and carry emergency kits. Motorcyclists are advised to use helmets and limit travel. Despite the harsh conditions, residents and tourists in Quetta have been seen enjoying the snow with warm beverages, while hotels and tourist sites reported increased footfall.
