Power outages hit eastern Balochistan after rain, snowfall

QUETTA: A massive power breakdown hit eastern Balochistan following heavy rain, snowfall and hailstorms that affected daily life in the areas, including Quetta, leading to closure of offices and shops in several towns.

Rain coupled with hailstorm as well as snowfall started in the wee hours of Thursday in Quetta, Kalat, Mastung, Pishin, Killa Abdullah, Ziarat, Killa Saifulah, Zhob, Duki, Harnai and other areas and continued for quite some time. As a result, the temperatures in these areas dipped further.

The only silver lining in the inclement weather was that the wet spell comes to the area after a long drought. However, it created more difficulties for the people after the breakdown of electric supply.



Several parts of Quetta remained without power for several hours. Similarly, reports of long power outages continued to pour in from far-flung areas of eastern Balochistan. Apart from load-shedding of electricity, complaints of low pressure and load-shedding of gas supply are also being received.

The Meteorological Office said that on Thursday Quetta received 37 millimetres of rain, Kalat 22mm with the mercury dipping to -4 degrees Celsius, Zhob 7mm and Khuzdar 4mm. It said that a westerly wave was affecting parts of the country.

The Met Office forecast cold and dry weather in most parts of the country, while more rain with thunderstorm is expected in Gilgit-Baltistan, Kashmir and adjoining hilly areas, while foggy conditions are expected in the plains of Punjab and upper Sindh.