QUETTA: Season's first snowfall in Quetta, northern Balochistan
By Saleem Shahid
QUETTA, Dec 30: The Quetta valley and many parts of northern Balochistan received heavy snowfall, paralyzing normal life, suspending vehicular traffic between the provincial metropolis
and many cities of the province and disrupting power supply on Thursday.
A woman died and her husband suffered serious injuries as the roof of their house collapsed due to continuous heavy rains in Dalbandin area of Chagai district while train service was suspended between Quetta and Zahidan due to breaches in the railway line linking Pakistan with Iran.
Due to snowfall and rains Quetta valley was in the grip of cold wave and maximum temperature dropped to 5.7 degree centigrade on Thursday while minimum temperature was recorded at 1.5 centigrade.
According to mat office, the temperature would further drop in the next 24 hours as chilly winds started blowing in the valley. The snowfall started around 6am and continued till 5pm without any break. The people of the city witnessed snowfall after a long time.
According to reports reaching here, other towns and cities of northern Balochistan, including Ziarat, Kan Mehtarzai, Khanozai, Muslim Bagh, Kalat, Nushki, Surab, Kolpur, Pishin, Toba Achakzai, Toba Kakari, Kila Abdullah and Shell Bagh also received heavy snowfall and rains.
The snowfall started in Ziarat, Kan Mehtarai and Shell Bagh in the early hours of Tuesday and continued till Thursday afternoon. According to reports, Ziarat and its surrounding areas received over two feet snowfall and in Kan Mehtarzai and Khanozai one-and-a-half feet each.
The Quetta valley received around six inches of snowfall while Met office has forecast more snowfall in next 24 hours. Quetta and other areas of Balochistan were receiving rains for the last three days. The city roads and slum areas were seen flooded with rain water and open drains and sewerage system was blocked with garbage and plastic begs.
Thousands of people along with their families rushed to the Hinna lake and Urak valley, some 20km from the city, to enjoy the snowfall and scenic beauty as the entire Quetta valley and surrounding mountains were fully covered with snow blanket.
Traffic jam was witnessed at Quetta-Urak Road, as hundreds of vehicles were moving towards the Hinna. Traffic police was called out to control the situation. However, the people of Quetta faced great difficulty as power supply was suspended in most of the city and surrounding areas soon after the snowfall. However, power supply was restored later in the afternoon.
The traffic remained suspended between Quetta and many cities of the province as heavy snowfall blocked the highways at different points. Luck pass and Khojak Pass were badly affected as snow blocked the road. However, light traffic was restored later in the afternoon at the two passes.
The traffic between Quetta, Ziarat, Kan Mehtarzai, Toba Kakari and Toba Achakzai could not be restored till late on Thursday night. The provincial communication department was making efforts to clear the road for traffic.
The Zamindars and growers have expressed their delight over the heavy snowfall, saying that it would help improve the water shortage in Quetta and other parts of the province and would also bring positive impact on fruit orchards and wheat crop in Balochistan.
