Snowfall in Balochistan disrupts traffic

Published January 20, 2025
ZIARAT: Snow is being removed from a road by Levies and NHA staff on Sunday, after the Ziarat Valley received first winter snowfall of this year. — Photo by Mudassar Kakar
ZIARAT: Snow is being removed from a road by Levies and NHA staff on Sunday, after the Ziarat Valley received first winter snowfall of this year. — Photo by Mudassar Kakar

QUETTA: Heavy rain and snowfall disrupted transportation across several towns and cities in Balochistan, while residents of Quetta faced severe hardships due to prolonged power and gas outages in freezing temperatures.

The mercury dropped below zero as icy Siberian winds swept through northern and central Balochistan, exacerbating the harsh weather conditions.

Snowfall began in northern and other parts of the province late on Saturday evening, continuing intermittently until Sunday morning. Quetta and its surrounding areas experienced rainfall, while the mountains encircling the city were blanketed in snow.

Tourist spots such as Hanna and Urak valleys, on the outskirts of Quetta, received snowfall, attracting locals eager to enjoy the weather. Vehicles and motorcyclists flocked to the Lakpass Tunnel area in Chiltan valley, which also witnessed heavy snowfall.

Areas including Ziarat, Qila Saifullah, Muslim Bagh, Qila Abdullah, Chaman, Pishin, Toba Achakzai and Toba Kakari received snowfall, while rainfall was reported in Quetta, Mastung, Chaman, Pishin, Kalat, Harnai, Zhob, Musa Khel, Barkhan, Khuzdar, Kharan, Kech, Panjgur, Turbat, Gwadar and Jiwani.

Ziarat valley faced heavy snowfall, causing traffic disruptions between Ziarat, Sanjavi, Duki and surrounding areas. The Quetta-Chaman highway, connecting Quetta with Kandahar via the Khojak Pass, was also blocked due to snow accumulation.

According to NHA officials, the connecting roads in Chaman and Qila Abdullah were blocked due to the heavy snowfall, and operations have been launched to clear the highway for traffic.

Published in Dawn, January 20th, 2025

Opinion

Editorial

More than words
Updated 04 Apr, 2025

More than words

Holistic development can only work when there is organic and credible political activity in the province.
Poor publicity
04 Apr, 2025

Poor publicity

FORTUNE does not seem to be favouring the PTI — at least not yet. With the party’s founder confined from public...
Party pooper
04 Apr, 2025

Party pooper

INDIA’s role of a spoilsport is tiresome. From pulling books from shelves, such as Wendy Doniger’s The Hindus: ...
Canal unrest
Updated 03 Apr, 2025

Canal unrest

With rising water scarcity in Indus system, it is crucial to move towards a consensus-driven policymaking process.
Iran-US tension
03 Apr, 2025

Iran-US tension

THE Trump administration’s threats aimed at Iran do not bode well for global peace, and unless Washington changes...
Flights to history
03 Apr, 2025

Flights to history

MOHENJODARO could have been the forgotten gold we desperately need. Instead, this 5,000-year-old well of antiquity ...