QUETTA: The first winter rains and snowfall have worsened the situation in the earthquake stricken areas of district Ziarat, where thousands of quake survivors, including women and children are living in tents in the chilly weather.

They lost their houses and loved ones when a strong earthquake struck many parts of northern and central Balochistan.

The season's first rains started in Ziarat, Quetta, Pishin, and other parts of Balochistan on Saturday evening and continued till Sunday morning.

Survivors spent a sleepless night since rain water entered many tents and strong wind also added to their misery.

‘The tents provided to us failed to protect our children and other family members from the chilly weather,’ Mohammad Akthar told Dawn over telephone from Waam. However, he is hopeful to get a container shelter home from the Turkish Red Cross.

Another survivor from Warchom, also complaint about not receiving winterized tents and said that many children, women and old men were falling ill and suffering from throat and chest infections.

Low gas pressure and continuous load shedding were also creating problems for survivors in mountainous areas of the Ziarat district.