PDMA Balochistan issues alerts due to heavy snow

The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Balochistan has issued fresh alerts due to heavy snow in the province. It has also been clearing the road blockades in snow-hit areas of the province with heavy machinery to ensure smooth traffic flow.

To this end, PDMA has deployed heavy machinery to remove snow along with rescue teams at Kan Mehterzai area of District Killa Saifullah, Ziarat, Khojak and Lak Pass areas of district Chaman and Mastung.

An official of PDMA told APP that an alert was issued to all the departments concerned for taking preemptive measures to avert snow-related mishaps across the province. The departments concerned including Rescue 1122, health, revenue, police, livestock and others were directed to remain on alert during this period of extreme weather, he said.

He added that heavy snowfall in the areas of Ziarat, Kan Mehtarzai and Muslim Bagh choked the major thoroughfares causing heavy traffic jams. However, heavy machinery was deployed that helped evacuate vehicles stuck in the snow, the PDMA official said.

“Roads are now clear and open for light vehicles whereas PDMA and Levies teams are spraying de-icing salt to ensure unimpeded traffic flow,” he added.

He also advised people, particularly tourists, to avoid unnecessary travel in snowbound and landslide-prone areas during the prevailing weather conditions and observe caution as roads were slippery.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 23^rd, 2022.