QUETTA: The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) in Balochistan is implementing a comprehensive winter response to ensure highway safety and protect stranded passengers amidst heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures across the province.
To maintain critical traffic flow, PDMA rescue teams are engaged in a two-step process on major highways. After initially clearing snowdrifts using heavy machinery, crews are proactively spraying salt on the roadways. This measure is crucial to prevent melted snow from refreezing into dangerous black ice, thereby reducing the risk of vehicles skidding and preventing road blockages.
Beyond highway maintenance, the authority has established emergency relief centers at key locations. A notable operation is underway in Kan Mehtarzai, where passengers trapped by the severe weather have been safely evacuated and shifted to a dedicated center. PDMA officials confirm that all stranded individuals, including women and children, have been moved to safety.
The Kan Mehtarzai center is fully equipped to combat the harsh cold and provide immediate care. “The center has complete arrangements for heaters, blankets, and food to protect against cold,” a PDMA spokesperson stated. Reports confirm that sheltered passengers are being accommodated in warm rooms with cylinder heating facilities, and are being provided with blankets, regular meals, and necessary medical facilities.
PDMA Balochistan has stated it is actively managing the situation with all possible measures. The coordinated effort, focusing both on infrastructure clearance and direct humanitarian aid, aims to mitigate the severe impacts of the winter spell, ensuring the safety of travelers on the roads and the well-being of those caught in the adverse conditions. The authority continues to monitor the situation closely across the province.
