Balochistan: Heavy snow causes 14 casualties, more than 200 vehicles stranded

QUETTA, (Parliament Times): Due to heavy snow fall in the parts of Balochistan, 14 people lost their lives, while more than 200 cars and passenger coaches are still stranded in Killa Saifullah district’s Kan Mehtarzai area.
Deputy Commissioner Killa Saifullah said that it is hoped that rescue personnel will reach the stranded people in a few hours, adding that public transport has been stopped from going into snow-affected areas.
Passenger coaches, with women and children, are stranded in Mehtarzai area, with reports of passengers running out of vehicle fuel and food supplies.
Life has come to a standstill in parts of Balochistan due to harsh snowfall as the temperature reached -14C.Heavy rain and snowfall paralysed life in seven districts of Balochistan as the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) declared the imposition of emergency in Mastung, Qila Abdullah, Kech, Ziarat, Harnai, and Pishin districts. Chief Minister Jam Kamal Khan visited the PDMA office and was briefed on the weather situation across the province. “A high alert had been issued to the commissioners and deputy commissioners,” the chief minister told the media after attending the briefing. Snowfall blocked the highway from Mehtarzai to Zhob where several vehicles were stranded. Director General PDMA said work was underway to open the highway for traffic. Meanwhile Meanwhile, the Mach and Kalpor road remained closed to traffic due heavy snowfall.Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Kamal Khan visited the National Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) to assess the damage caused due to severe snowfall in the province.
Talking to media, he said that high alert has been issued to the commissioners and deputy commissioners. Jam Kamal said that some highways were closed due to heavy snowfall which has been reopened, adding that the Balochistan government is utilizing all the resources in view of the snowfall situation.