Winter blues: Balochistan receives heavy rain, snowfall

Roofs and mud houses collapsed in various towns.

QUETTA:

Parts of Balochistan, including Quetta Valley, remained in the grip of torrential rains on Tuesday, while the mountainous regions of the province also received heavy snowfall.

Heavy downpours along with freezing winds and lightning continued to lash the province.

Many roads were inundated with rainwater, while the rains also caused prolonged power outages and low gas pressure.

Apart from Quetta, reports of snowfall were also received from Kalat, Mastung, Ziarat, Pishin, Qila Abdullah, Chaman, and Khanozai. Ziarat received two feet of snowfall.



Khojak Pass remained closed for traffic due to heavy snowfall, causing a massive traffic jam. Meanwhile, roofs and walls of many mudhouses collapsed in various towns, including Quetta.

According to the Met Office, Quetta received 35mm of rain so far, Turbat received 30mm, Jiwani 29mm, Dalbandain 16mm, Kalat 10mm, and Gwadar 5mm.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 27^th, 2013.