Balochistan Breaks 21-Year Snowfall Record as Heavy Snow Hits Northern Districts, Temperatures Drop to Minus 10

**Quetta:** Balochistan has witnessed an unprecedented spell of severe winter weather as a 21-year snowfall record was broken in Chaman, while heavy snowfall continued across most northern districts and rain lashed the plains, intensifying the cold wave across the province.

According to reports, Chaman recorded temperatures as low as minus 8 degrees Celsius, dropping below the freezing point, while continuous snowfall disrupted routine life. Through joint efforts of the Chaman district administration, national highway authorities, and the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), the Quetta–Chaman Highway was reopened for all types of traffic from both sides of Kojak Top. However, the district administration has urged citizens to avoid unnecessary travel.

After many years, snowfall was also recorded in Nushki city and surrounding areas, including Kashingi, Issa Chah, and Zangi Nawar, transforming the landscape. In Ziarat and its adjoining areas, nearly one foot of snow accumulated, covering the juniper forests in a white blanket. Under the supervision of Deputy Commissioner Ziarat Abdul Qudoos Achakzai, the administration remains engaged in clearing roads.

In Jaffarabad’s Dera Allah Yar and nearby areas, winter rains further intensified the cold. Pishin city and surrounding regions such as Breshore, Toba Kakari, Khanozai, Tora Shah, and Dab Khanzai also received their first snowfall of the season, leading to power outages and increased public hardship.

Rain and snowfall were also reported from Sanjawi, Bolan, Kolpur, Qila Saifullah, Kan Mehterzai, and Muslim Bagh. While farmers welcomed the precipitation, shortages of gas and electricity caused difficulties for residents. In Qalat city and surrounding areas, over two inches of snow were recorded, with temperatures plunging to minus 10 degrees Celsius.

Meanwhile, intermittent rainfall continued in Sibi, Lehri, Bakhtiarabad, Kohlu, Sohbatpur, and Manjhi Pur, raising fears of water accumulation in low-lying areas. Snowfall was also reported in Qila Abdullah, Kojak Top, Khwaja Imran, and Toba Achakzai, where snowfall measurements reached one and a half feet in Toba Achakzai, one foot at Kojak Top, 10 inches in Chaman, and two inches in Qila Abdullah.

The Meteorological Department has forecast further rain and snowfall across the province over the next 24 hours.