Balochistan Faces Severe Electricity and Gas Load-Shedding Amid Heavy Snowfall and Rain, Citizens Struggle in Intensified Cold

**Quetta:** Heavy snowfall and rainfall across Balochistan, including Quetta, have intensified the cold wave, creating hardships for residents. Snowfall was reported in Ziarat, Kork Top, Puran Chaman, and Shilabagh, with Kork Top seeing significant snow accumulation that disrupted traffic on the Quetta-Chaman-Karachi Highway. The National Highway Authority (NHA) is actively using heavy machinery to clear snow and restore road access.

Amid the plunging temperatures, electricity and gas authorities have doubled load-shedding instead of providing relief, further exacerbating citizens’ difficulties. Residents have urged the MD of KElectric and gas officials to review the ongoing power and gas outages in the province. Currently, Quetta and other areas are facing severe electricity and gas load-shedding, causing people to avoid using energy despite the extreme cold. Citizens have warned that if load-shedding continues, they may be forced to disconnect electricity and gas connections themselves.

Meanwhile, in Chaman, heavy rainfall accompanied by lightning, thunder, and strong winds caused flooding in low-lying areas. The Meteorological Department has forecasted heavy rain in upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Kashmir, along with snowfall in the mountains. Intermittent rainfall is also expected in Islamabad, Punjab, and Sindh, while Karachi may experience rain from noon to evening.

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued alerts for possible flooding in northern regions due to the ongoing rain and snowfall.