QUETTA: Residents of Quetta endured extreme hardships as a result of protracted power and gas outages in bitterly cold temperatures, while heavy rain and snowfall caused transportation disruptions in a number of Balochistani towns and cities.
As strong Siberian winds blew across northern and central Balochistan, the temperature fell below zero, making the already severe weather even worse.
Late Saturday night saw the start of snowfall in the northern and other regions of the province, which continued sporadically until Sunday morning. Rainfall fell on Quetta and the surrounding areas, while snow covered the mountains that surrounded the city.
Snowfall at popular tourist destinations like the Hanna and Urak valleys on Quetta’s outskirts drew residents ready to take advantage of the pleasant weather. The Lakpass Tunnel area in the Chiltan valley, which also saw a lot of snowfall, was crowded with cars and motorcycles.
While Quetta, Mastung, Chaman, Pishin, Kalat, Harnai, Zhob, Musa Khel, Barkhan, Khuzdar, Kharan, Kech, Panjgur, Turbat, Gwadar, and Jiwani reported rainfall, Ziarat, Qila Saifullah, Muslim Bagh, Qila Abdullah, Chaman, Pishin, Toba Achakzai, and Toba Kakari had snowfall.
Heavy snowfall in the Ziarat Valley disrupted transportation between Ziarat, Sanjavi, Duki, and the neighboring districts. Snow buildup also closed the Quetta-Chaman route, which runs via the Khojak Pass and connects Quetta and Kandahar.
NHA officials say that because of the heavy snowfall, the connecting roads in Chaman and Qila Abdullah were blocked, and efforts have been started to open the highway to traffic.
