Heavy rain, snowfall: Emergency declared in Balochistan as death toll rises

QUETTA: Heavy rain and snowfall brought life to a standstill in seven districts of Balochistan on Sunday as the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) declared the imposition of emergency in Mastung, Qila Abdullah, Kech, Ziarat, Harnai, and Pishin districts, reported The News.

Chief Minister Jam Kamal Khan visited the PDMA office and was briefed on the weather situation across the province. "A high alert had been issued to the commissioners and deputy commissioners," the chief minister told the media after attending the briefing. 

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"Some highways were closed due to heavy snowfall which have been reopened. The Balochistan government is utilising all the resources in view of the snowfall," The News quoted Kamal as saying. 

Meanwhile, at least 10 people, including three women and three children, were killed in separate incidents due to heavy snowfall in Balochistan. As per the details, at least six persons of a family, including women and children, were killed in a roof collapse in the Shahab Zai area on Sunday.

According to the publication, 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. 

The met office has forecast widespread rain and snowfall in the province.

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The met office has forecast widespread rain and snowfall in Quetta, Kalat, Khuzdar, Mastung, Qila Abdullah, Qila Saifullah, Zhob, Sibbi, Loralai, Chaghi, Nokkundi, Makran, Kharan, Panjgur, Kech and Gwadar.

Originally published in The News