QUETTA, Jan 1: The Quetta valley and other parts of central and northern Balochistan were in the grip of cold weather on Saturday.

Chilly winds blowing across the valley for several days, which forced most people remain indoors, became chillier on Saturday as the mercury plunged to minus 10 degrees Celsius. The maximum temperature recorded was 10 degrees Celsius.

The roads in Quetta presented a deserted look in the evening as the traffic was unusually thin. Most shopkeepers closed their businesses early, as there were few buyers in bazaars.

In some localities pipes got burst, causing water shortage. In others, people suffered on account of low gas pressure, despite claims to the contrary by the Sui Southern Gas Company. In Kalat, the minimum temperature recorded was minus 10 degrees Celsius.

Sources said that Ziarat valley, Pishin and Qila Abdullah were also in the grip of severe cold weather.