Roads cleared, traffic resumes after snowfall led to roadblocks in Quetta

QUETTA: It continued to snow in most parts of Balochistan and its provincial capital Quetta for the second straight day on Sunday, blocking roads and causing shortage of food.

The first snow of the season that hit the province on Saturday broke the previous 12-year-record of snowfall.

A number of vehicles got stuck between Mangocher and Khad Kocha on Karachi highway linking to Quetta. Uptill now, Kozak Top has received four-feet of snow.

People including children and women have been stuck due to heavy snowfall and awaiting aid.

Rain and snow in Quetta have dropped the temperature further. Two inches of snowfall were recorded in Ziarat which caused road blockades.

Kalat received seven inches of snow, in the first snowfall of the season. Meanwhile, Zhob received snowfall after 15 years.

Balochistan govt issues travel alert

Balochistan government has issued a warning in which it advised people not to take Karachi to Quetta highway.

A travel-warning was also issued for Sibbi, Ziarat and Chaman areas. The provincial ministry in its advisory said that people should only travel in case of extreme emergency.

The government also advised the administration and police to make arrangements for food and other basic necessities.

Pak Army starts relief work in snow-hit areas

According to the ISPR, Army started relief activities in the areas where snow has disrupted daily lives.

Several roads were blocked due to snow, some of which have been cleared including the Lowari tunnel, Quetta to Sukkur road and Taftan highways, according to the ISPR.

The flow of traffic has recommenced on Chaman-Quetta's Shahrah-e-Kozak, after up to two foot of snow was cleared by Frontier Works Organisation.

Moreover, crisis management centres have been established in Quetta, Sibbi, Ziarat, Pishin, Loralai, Kalat and Khuzdar to deal with untoward incidents.