17 dead as Balochistan receives record high snow

F.P. Report

KARACHI: At least 17 people are dead and 13 others injured in Balochistan as heavy snowfall and downpours in the last two days wreaked havoc in the southwestern province of Pakistan, Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) confirmed on Monday.

The spell of heavy snowfall that started Saturday night, continues to hit the main districts of Zhob, Qila Saifullah, Ziarat, Qila Abdullah, Kalat, Mastung, Khuzdar and other northern parts of the province.

“14 had died during the first 24 hours but the exact figure of fatalities can be shared once the deputy commissioners, who are overseeing relief activities in their respective districts, reach offices,” Imran Khan Zarkoon, director general of the Provincial Disaster Management Authority earlier told Arab News.

Emergency was declared in the most affected districts of the province on Sunday amid rising death toll.

The PDMA is trying to provide relief, and rehabilitation to those stuck in snowfall, Zarkoon said.

The Quetta-Karachi highways, he said, has been cleared but passengers are advised not to travel until the emergency is lifted. “Work is still underway on other major thoroughfares, including Quetta-Zhob highway,” he added.

Heavy rain in northwestern parts of Balochistan may continue to generate flash floods in districts which may also receive heavy snowfall today, according to Pakistan Meteoroidal Department.

Daud Khan, an official at the Pakistan meteorological department, said the province has recorded highest snowfall heaviest snowfall of the last two decades. “Qilla Saifullah has recorded up to four feet snow, whereas Ziarat had 18 inches of snow on Sunday,” Khan said.

Meanwhile, Malik Musleh ud Din Mengal, a focal person for chief minister Balochistan, said that district administration, communications, local bodies and irrigation departments as well as Frontier Corps, and Levies are on ground to assist PDMA in relief and rehabilitation activities.