QUETTA: The first snowfall of winter has hit several areas of Pakistan’s Balochistan province. The cold has intensified sharply across the region.
Snowfall continues in Chaman and surrounding areas. Authorities say conditions remain severe in higher elevations.
Quetta, Mastung, Panjgur, and Kharan also recorded their first snowfall of the season. Snow blanketed cities and nearby areas in white.
Reports said Toba Achakzai received up to 1.5 feet of snow. Khojak Top recorded around one foot. Chaman city saw snowfall of up to 10 inches.
Heavy snow has strengthened the cold wave in upper regions.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department said temperatures in Chaman dropped below freezing. It recorded minus 1 degree Celsius.
Temperatures fell further in mountainous areas. Khojak Top and Khwaja Imran dropped to minus 3 degrees Celsius. Toba Achakzai fell to minus 4 degrees Celsius.
The Provincial Disaster Management Authority warned of more severe weather. It said heavy rain and snowfall will continue on Thursday.
The forecast covers Quetta, Ziarat, Chaman, Pishin, Qila Abdullah, Qila Saifullah, Noshki, Harnai, Zhob, Mastung, Washuk, Turbat, Awaran, Dera Bugti, Musa Khel, Loralai, and Surab.
Also Read: Quetta, Ziarat among areas under heavy Snowfall warning
Officials expect 9 to 12 inches of snow in Ziarat, Qila Abdullah, Qila Saifullah, Pishin, and Chaman. They forecast 2 to 5 inches in Quetta, Mastung, Noshki, Kalat, and Zhob.
