QUETTA, Jan 1: Northern Balochistan, including Quetta, Panjgur, Kalat and Dalbandin, received snowfall on Sunday as intense cold gripped the region while Khuzdar, Lasbella, Pasni, Turbat, Surab, Nushki, Nasirabad, Zhob and Nokundi received rainfall, local meterological office cofirmed.

Panjgur received eight inches of snow after 36 years. Kalat region also received over eight inches of snow in towns and over a foot in the surrounding mountains.

Snowfall continued for more than 16 hours intermittently in the provincial metropolis and nearby mountains.

PIA sources said that all Quetta-bound flights originating from Karachi, Islamabad, Lahore and coastal areas of Balochistan were cancelled because of the snowfall in the Quetta Valley and its suburbs. However, a Haj flight took off from here on schedule.

The local meterological office said that reports from different parts of the province indicated continuous snowfall in areas, including Quetta, Panjgur, Kalat and Dalbandin.

Met office also forecast snowfall in Quetta Valley and its suburbs over the next 24 hours. Maximum temperature recorded here as 5 degrees Centigrade with minimum temperatures recorded as low as minus 5 degrees Centigrade.

Traffic remained unaffected between Quetta and other parts of the province.— APP