People travel in vehicles and walk in a street during snowfall in Quetta. PHOTO: INP
According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department, Loralai received 8 millimeters (mm) of rain, followed by Lasbella 6mm, Chaman 5mm, Dalbandin 2mm and Quetta 1mm of rain in the last 24 Hours. Duki, Kohlu and Dera Bugti are also reported to have received light showers.
It also snowed in areas of Northern Balochistan such as Kalat, Ziarat, and Chaman.
According to reports, roof of a hotel caved in in the Musakhail area of district Killa Saifullah during rain, causing serious injuries to at least 12 people. These people were shifted to a hospital for medical aid.
Dukki National Highway was closed after snowfall at Ziarat and Sanjavi. Snow also blocked the Quetta-Chaman Highway and Khojak Pass. A Levies official said authorities had started clearing the route with snow ploughs.
Temperature in these areas also dropped after rain and snow. In Kalat the minimum temperature was recorded at -3 degree Celsius. The temperature in Quetta and Zhob was also recorded at 1 and 4 degree Celsius. The Met office has said dry and cold winds will also blow in different part of the province, including Quetta.
Protest in Quetta
Residents of Qambrani area of the provincial capital on Monday staged a protest against low gas pressure during severe cold and broken roads. The BNP Awami took out a motorcycle rally from the area to Quetta Press Club where they staged a protest, chanting slogans and demanding proper gas supply.
The BNP central leader Dr Nashnas Lehri and others said the people are facing different problems due to low gas pressure. They said the people have protested against low gas pressure several times and also registered complaints but the Sui Southern Gas Company has not resolved the problem.
They demanded that the government restore gas pressure in the area.
The residents said roads in the area were also in a shambles, inconveniencing the residents greatly. They said the roads were built a few years back but they were now in a bad shape as poor quality material was used in their construction.
They said roads are filled with potholes but the MPA and MNA elected from that constituency were not taking responsibility to fix the problem. They demanded that the government construct the roads on urgent basis.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 28th, 2020.
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ