Snowfall turns Balochistan into winter wonderland ahead of New Year

Snow blankets Ziarat, Chaman and Kalat as temperatures drop to minus 2°C, rain disrupts traffic and power in Quetta

QUETTA:

Just hours before the arrival of the New Year 2026, heavy snowfall transformed northern and western districts of Balochistan into a striking winter landscape, with several mountainous areas blanketed in white.

Ziarat, Toba Achakzai, Kan Mehterzai, Chaman, Qila Abdullah and the hilly regions of Kalat received intense snowfall, covering valleys and peaks with a thick layer of snow. At the same time, intermittent rain continued in Quetta, Pishin, Mastung, Noshki and Zhob, sharply intensifying the cold. Temperatures in some areas dropped to as low as minus 2 degrees Celsius.

The Meteorological Department said the current spell of western winds began on the night of December 29 and is likely to continue until the night of December 31. It forecast further snowfall in mountainous areas and rain in the plains.

Read: Quetta receives first snow of the season

Ziarat’s famous juniper valleys were completely covered in snow, attracting a large number of tourists who arrived to enjoy the scenic views and snowfall. Images from Ziarat and Kan Mehtarzai quickly went viral on social media, with many users calling them “nature’s gift” ahead of the New Year.

The weather, however, also caused disruptions. Traffic was affected on roads connecting Quetta with Ziarat and Chaman due to slippery conditions, while water accumulated in low-lying areas in some localities.

In Quetta, rainfall led to the tripping of several power feeders, resulting in electricity outages in different parts of the city.

The Provincial Disaster Management Authority advised citizens to avoid unnecessary travel and urged commuters to take precautionary measures during the ongoing spell.

Read More: Winter's first rain breaks dry spell in Quetta

Meteorological experts said the rain and snowfall, following a prolonged dry period, would be highly beneficial for agriculture, natural springs and groundwater levels across the province.

Despite the biting cold and disruptions, the snowfall and rain have turned Balochistan into a scene of rare natural beauty, ushering in the New Year with memorable moments of winter splendour.