Heavy Rain and Snowfall in Balochistan: Emergency Declared As Death Count Grows

The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) declared emergency in Balochistan as the weather worsened. Due to heavy rainfall and snow, life in seven districts of the province has come to a standstill. Mastung, Qila Abdullah, Harnai, Kech and Pishin are under emergency because of the severe conditions.

After his visit to the PDMA office where he was briefed on the weather scenario across Balochistan, Chief Minister Jam Kamal Khan told the media:

“A high alert had been issued to the commissioners and deputy commissioners. Some highways were closed due to heavy snowfall which have been reopened. The Balochistan government is utilizing all the resources in view of the snowfall.”

During the weather fiasco, at least 10 people have lost their lives, including three women and three children. The poor lives became victim to separate snowfall incidents in the province. According to some details, at least six people from a family (women and children included) died in a roof collapse on Sunday in the Shahab Zai area.

As per publication, snow has blocked the highway from Mehtarzai to Zhob, leaving many vehicles stranded in the area. Director General PDMA told the media that work is being done to open up the blockage on highway.

According to the met office, we can expect even more widespread rain and snow in Balochistan in the coming days. The areas that the met office has outlined in its weather forecast include Quetta, Khuzdar, Kalat, Qila Abdullah, Qila Saifullah, Mastung, Laralai, Sibbi, Zhob, Nokkundi, Chaghi, Panjgur, Makrn, Kharan, Kech and Gwadar.