QUETTA: Heavy rain and snowfall swept across the Quetta valley and large parts of northern and central Balochistan on Thursday, ending a prolonged dry spell but bringing routine life to a standstill across the province.
The severe weather led to the closure of major highways, effectively cutting off the provincial capital, while strong Siberian winds caused temperatures to plunge sharply across the region.
Authorities reported that six members of a family were injured when their vehicle skidded off the Quetta–Karachi national highway in the Surab area of Kalat district due to icy road conditions. The injured were shifted to a nearby district hospital.
In view of hazardous conditions, officials suspended traffic on several highways linking Balochistan with other provinces and connecting remote districts to Quetta, citing slippery roads and high-speed freezing winds.
Beyond transportation, the harsh weather severely disrupted essential services. Cities and towns connected to the Sui Southern Gas Company, including Quetta, experienced prolonged power outages and low gas pressure, compounding difficulties for residents amid extreme cold.
Temperatures dropped to minus 8 to minus 12 degrees Celsius in Quetta, Ziarat, Kalat, Mastung, Kan Mehtarzai, Khanozai, Muslim Bagh, Qila Abdullah, Sanjavi and several other areas.
The Meteorological Department forecast continued rain and snowfall over the next 24 hours due to persistent Siberian winds, which have also frozen vast areas in neighboring Afghanistan.
Residents witnessed Quetta draped in a “white blanket” for the first time in nearly five years. The last major snowfall occurred in 2020, when Quetta received up to three feet of snow, while northern areas recorded as much as six feet, leaving the province cut off for several days.
Snow-covered mountains around Quetta, including Hanna Lake and Urak Valley, attracted large numbers of residents eager to enjoy the season’s first snowfall.
Other areas affected by snowfall and rain included Pishin, Qila Abdullah, Ziarat, Qila Saifullah, Muslim Bagh, Khanozai, Kan Mehtarzai, Chaman, Toba Achakzai, Mastung, Kalat, Harboi, Surab, Toba Kakari, Sanjavi and Duki.
According to official sources, Ziarat, Khanozai, Muslim Bagh, Kalat, Toba Achakzai and Toba Kakari received between two and three feet of snow.
Traffic on the highway connecting Balochistan to D.I. Khan and Islamabad via Zhob was suspended, while the Khojak Pass leading to Afghanistan through Chaman was closed to prevent accidents.
Authorities continued efforts to clear highways and spread salt to melt ice, urging the public to avoid unnecessary travel until conditions improve.
Story by Saleem Shahid
