A harsh cold wave has claimed five lives in Gilgit-Baltistan and Balochistan amid intense snowfall and heavy rain. The extreme weather triggered structural collapses, disrupted transport, and worsened daily hardships. Authorities urged caution as forecasts warned of more rain and snow in coming days.
Tower Collapse Kills Family in Diamer
Four people died in Gilgit-Baltistan after a tower collapsed onto a residential house in Diamer’s Tangir Valley. The victims belonged to the same family, while two others suffered injuries. Heavy snowfall earlier in the week likely weakened the structure, leading to the fatal collapse.
Local officials confirmed that snowfall hit the area on Thursday. As a result, rescue teams continued relief operations. Meanwhile, authorities warned that the casualty count could rise if more damage emerged. Residents struggled amid freezing temperatures and limited access routes.
Roads Opened, Yet Many Areas Remain Cut Off
Major highways, including the Karakoram Highway and Baltistan Road, reopened on Saturday. However, several link roads remained blocked across Astore, Skardu, Ghanche, Ghizer, and Shigar. These closures disrupted supply chains and delayed emergency response efforts.
At the same time, electricity shortages added to the crisis. Many households faced extended outages during freezing nights. Therefore, officials issued travel advisories, especially for tourists. Heavy snowfall affected Hunza, Nagar, Astore, Skardu, Shigar, Ghanche, Kharmang, and Diamer.
Weather Forecast Warns of Continued Snow and Rain
Meteorological authorities predicted continued rain and snowfall across multiple regions until Tuesday. Due to persistent snowfall, road blockages may occur in mountainous areas. Consequently, residents and travelers were advised to take precautionary measures and monitor weather updates closely.
Roof Collapse Kills Child in Zhob
In Balochistan’s Zhob district, a child lost life after a roof collapsed during rainfall. Two others sustained injuries in the incident. Additionally, slippery roads caused several accidents, leaving more than six people hospitalized.
The cold wave persisted across northern and central Balochistan. Strong Siberian winds battered Quetta and nearby regions for the third consecutive day. Although skies cleared, temperatures remained extremely low.
Quetta Faces Cold, Gas Shortages, and Frozen Water Lines
Life slowed dramatically in Quetta as residents stayed indoors. Business activity declined sharply, while traffic remained thin. Low gas pressure worsened conditions, forcing people to rely on alternative heating sources.
Meanwhile, rising demand led LPG dealers to increase cylinder prices. To provide relief, electricity supply interruptions were suspended in Quetta for one week. However, other districts did not receive similar relief.
Frozen water pipelines caused drinking water shortages in Quetta, Kalat, Chaman, and Ziarat. Despite this, authorities reopened major highways and inter-provincial roads. Travelers were still advised to confirm conditions before departure.
Extreme Cold Paralyzes Border and Upland Regions
Daily life nearly halted in Chaman, Qila Abdullah, Ziarat, Pishin, and Toba Achakzai. Temperatures in border and upland regions dropped to minus 12 degrees Celsius. The severe cold affected mobility, commerce, and access to essential services.
Weather officials forecast more rain, icy winds, and snowfall in districts including Quetta, Kalat, Zhob, Pishin, Qila Saifullah, and surrounding areas. Coastal regions may also receive rain, while higher elevations could see fresh snowfall.
