QUETTA: At least 12 people sustained serious injuries as heavy snowfall and rain lashed different parts of Balochistan on Monday.

According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department, Loralai received eight millimetres, Lasbela 6mm, Chaman 5mm, Dal­ba­ndin 2mm and Quetta 1mm rain in one day.

Rain was also reported in Duki, Kohlu and Dera Bugti districts while Kalat, Ziarat, and Chaman received snowfall.

In Musakhail of Killa Saifullah district, 12 people were injured when a hotel’s roof collapsed. The injured were shifted to a hospital for treatment.

In Quetta, residents of Qambrani area were facing several problems as a road built a few years ago was damaged in the recent spell of rain.

Residents of the area said that the elected MPs from that constituency were not taking responsibility and urged them to construct the road as soon as possible.

The Balochistan National Party-Awami organised a demonstration against low gas pressure outside the press club.

Central leader of BNP-A Dr Nashnas Lehri said that the people were facing problems due to low gas pressure.

The protesters said that several complaints had been lodged, but the Sui Southern Gas Company did not solved the problem. They urged the government to restore gas pressure in their areas.

In Duki, the national highway was closed after snowfall in Ziarat and Sanjavi. Snow also blocked the Quetta-Chaman Highway and Kozhak Top Hill. Levies said that work to clear the route was under way.

After snowfall, mercury dropped in the province. Minimum temperature recorded in Kalat district was -3C, in Quetta 1C and in Zhob 4C. According to the met office forecast the weather would remain dry and cold in different parts of Balochistan, including Quetta.

Published in Dawn, January 28th, 2020