CM promises facilities in snow, downpour-affected areas

Kamal visits PDMA office, says blocked highways now open for traffic

QUETTA: Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Kamal Khan Alyani on Sunday visited the Provincial Disaster Management Authority’s (PDMA) office in Quetta where he was given a detailed briefing on the rescue and relief operations being carried out to deal with heavy snowfall in various parts of the province.

Minister for Home and Tribal affairs Balochistan Mir Ziaullah Langove also accompanied the chief minister.

Chairman PDMA Balochistan Imran Zarkoon gave a detailed briefing on the relief measures taken and the overall conditions of snowfall and rain in the province.

Kamal also met officers and staff of the PDMA and instructed them to take every possible step to provide maximum relief to the people affected.

Talking to the media persons, Kamal said some national highways in the province were blocked due to heavy snowfall, however, with the immediate and tiring efforts of the PDMA officials, district managements and other departments concerned, they are now open for traffic.

“All available resources are being utilised to provide maximum possible facilities to the people in areas affected by snowfall and rain. Provincial Disaster Management Authority has ration and other stuff in bulk [to help those in need],” Kamal said on the occasion.

The CM also visited Quetta and its nearby town Kuchlak and monitored the situation on the national highway.

Secretary Communication Balochistan Noor ul Ameen Mengal and Minister for Home and Tribal Affairs Balochistan Mir Zia Ahmed Langove were also present with the chief minister.

Quetta, Ziarat and northern areas of Balochistan witnessed the second spell of snowfall on Saturday forcing the closure of Quetta-Ziarat National Highway for traffic.

Queues of vehicles were stranded at Khojak top near Chaman after heavy snow.

Amid freezing temperatures, gas pressure reduction and load shedding added to the miseries of the people in parts of province, including Quetta. Citizens faced difficulties in the severe cold.

Earlier, Kamal directed PDMA officials to prepare for handling any emergency-like situation. “Communication and Works and Irrigation departments need to be more alert to keenly monitor the situation on highways and dams,” he had said.

Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) instructed its district officers to remain alert keeping in view the situation.

Meteorological Department stated that Quetta, Pishin, Killa Abdullah, Ziarat, Qilla Saifullah received snowfall with showers, while Turbat, Loralai, Tump, Buleda, Mund, Nukandi, Dalbandin, Nushki, Washuk, Gwadar, Qalat, Khuzdar, Barakhan, Sibi received light and heavy rains.

On the directions of the chief minister, equipment was delivered in Shela Bagh, Kan Mehtarzai and Ziarat to ensure timely relief.

Secretary Communication and Works Noor ul Amin Mengal also cancelled vacations of department’s officers and directed staff to ensure their presence on duty stations.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 13^th, 2020.