RAWALPINDI/QUETTA: While low visibility caused by dense fog continued to disrupt flights, train service and road traffic on motorways for a third consecutive day in several upcountry areas, many parts of Balochistan, particularly the Ziarat valley, received heavy snowfall and rainfall.

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said landing of several flights at Islamabad International Airport (IIAP) was delayed due to foggy weather conditions on Friday. It said Peshawar Bacha Khan International Airport had to issue a revised flight schedule for Friday due to bad weather conditions.

On the other hand, a spokesman for the Motorway police said M1 (Peshawar to Islamabad), Swat Expressway (Colonel Sher Khan to Katling), Hazara Expressway (Burhan to Jhari Kas) and M14 (Hukla to Fateh Jang) had been closed to all traffic due to heavy fog. He said the purpose of closing the roads was to prevent accidents and protect the life and property of the users of motorways.

Meanwhile, the CAA said arrival and departure of Gulf Air flights from Bahrain-Peshawar-Bahrain (GF-786/787) were delayed whereas Air Arabia’s flights from Sharjah-Peshawar-Sharjah (G-9556/557) will be rescheduled on Saturday after cancellation.

Ziarat, nearby hilly areas receive heavy snow

Arrival of Emirates’ flight EK-636 from Dubai to Peshawar and departure of EK-637 were delayed till 10.35am on Friday. Likewise, arrival and departure of its flight (Dubai-Peshawar-Dubai, EK-8636/8637) were delayed. Saudia’s flights from Riyadh-Peshawar-Riyadh (SV-792/793) were delayed due to weather conditions, so did Qatar Airways’ flights from Doha-Peshawar-Doha (QR-600/601). Salam Air’s flight from Muscat-Peshawar-Muscat (OV-597/598); Fly Jinnah’s flight from Karachi-Peshawar-Karachi (9P865/866); and Gulf Air’s flight from Bahrain-Peshawar-Bahrain (GF-2786/2787) were also delayed.

Also, motorists were advised to avoid unnecessary road travel during foggy hours. They were asked to obtain information from Motorway Police Helpline-130 before starting their journey. They were further advised to avoid speeding during their travel and keep proper distance from the next vehicle more than usual.

Snowfall in Balochistan

Ziarat and some other hilly areas of Balochistan wore white blanket, as the valley received six inches of snow, officials said.

According to reports, Khanozai, Muslim Bagh, Chaman, Kalat, Mastung, Toba Achakzai, Toba Kakari, Qila Abdullah, Qila Saifullah also received showers and snow. Mercury dropped into minus in Ziarat, Kalat and Quetta.

Traffic was affected in some areas of northern Balochistan after snowfall, but the local administration along with PDMA sent machinery and bulldozers to restore traffic.

However, while talking to Dawn, a resident of Ziarat, Dilawar Khan Kakar, said: “There is no gas and power supply in Ziarat after snowfall and rain.”

The provincial capital received rainfall throughout the night and continued till Friday noon.

According to the Met Office, Quetta received 15 millimeters of rainfall; Sheikh Mandah 15mm, Samungli 14mm, Ormara 28mm, Khuzdar 18mm, Pasni 7mm, Khuzdar 5mm, Jiwani 3mm, Dalbandin 2mm, and Panjgur 1 millimeter of rainfall.

Published in Dawn, January 6th, 2024