QUETTA: The provincial capital and many parts of northern and central Balochistan have received snowfall and rain for the first time in this winter season, with the result that mercury dropped to below freezing point in many areas.

Quetta and other areas of the province began receiving snowfall and rain late on Thursday night and the situation remained largely unchanged until Friday evening. The mountains surrounding the Quetta valley had turned white by the evening.

The Hanna Lake, Urak Valley and adjoining areas also received heavy snowfall, making people flock to the areas to enjoy the first snowfall of the season.

The other areas of the province that received snowfall and rain included Pishin, Qila Abdullah, Ziarat, Qila Saifullah, Muslim Bagh, Khanozai, Toba Achakzai, Mastung, Kalat, Harboi and Surab.

The change in weather adversely affected traffic on the highways connecting Quetta with northern and central Balochistan.

According to sources, Ziarat, Khanozai, Muslim Bagh, Kalat, Toba Achakzai and Toba Kakari received two to three feet of snow.

Many people expressed happiness over the change in weather but many others, especially those belonging to the areas hit by low gas pressure or electricity loadshedding, were not overjoyed.

“We are receiving heavy gas bills but not getting gas supply,” said Naqibullah, a resident of Jinnah Town. He added that many people were facing water shortage due to disruption of power supply.

Officials of the Sui Southern Gas Company said that due to heavy snowfall and rain, gas consumption had increased, which in turn had caused the gas pressure to decrease.

Published in Dawn, December 12th, 2020