Heavy snowfall paralyses life across Balochistan

QUETTA (92 News) – Heavy snowfall has paralyzed the life in Balochistan, causing hardships to the people of the area on Monday. Life came to a standstill in the province due to heavy rain and snowfall with the provincial government imposing emergency in seven districts. The heavy snowfall led to 16 casualties, while over 200 vehicles were stranded in certain areas of the province. Passenger coaches, with women and children, are stranded in Mehtarzai area, with reports of passengers running out of vehicle fuel and food supplies. Life has come to a standstill in parts of Balochistan due to harsh snowfall as the temperature reached -14C. Emergency declared in Balochistan Heavy rain and snowfall paralysed life in seven districts of Balochistan as the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) declared the imposition of emergency in Mastung, Qila Abdullah, Kech, Ziarat, Harnai, and Pishin districts. Snowfall blocked the highway from Mehtarzai to Zhob where several vehicles were stranded. Director General PDMA said work was underway to open the highway for traffic. Chitral disconnected from other parts of country Chitral has been disconnected from rest of the country as heavy snowfall continued and the main road of the district has been blocked due to avalanche near Lowari Tunnel at Baradam area. Chitral and its adjoining areas are receiving heavy snowfall from Sunday night resulting in closure of all roads in the district for traffic. The main road link connecting Chitral with down country is also closed due to heavy snow near Lawari Tunnel . An ice avalanche fell near Lawari Tunnel in Baradam area as a result of which road link has been closed for vehicular traffic, informed SHO Police Station Ashriat. On the other hand, tourists thronged Murree after snowfall continuing for the last days blanketed the city and adjoining areas. Vehicles were seen skidding on the roads due to one-foot snow. As a result, traffic flow was disrupted throughout the city. On the other hand, the scenic valleys of Swat, Malam Jabba, Kalam and Marghzar gave a festive look after the snowfall stopped. The Met Office has predicted dense fog in the plain areas of Punjab, some districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Upper Sindh. Rain and snowfall is expected at several places in the mountainous areas.