Snowfall, rain predicted in Quetta, Ziarat, Kalat, Barkhan from Jan 21st
Staff Reporter :
Snowfall, rain, and thunder were predicted in Quetta, Ziarat, Pishin, Kalat, Barkhan, Killa Saifullah, and other parts of Balochistan from January 21st. Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has issued an alert letter to all concerned deputy commissioners of the concerned districts.
The PDMA asked the deputy commissioners to keep all departments on high alert to tackle any emergency situation in the case of snowfall and rain. The authority has predicted rainfall and snowfall from January 21st to 23rd in the above-mentioned districts.
Concerned departments directed to ensure availability of staff
Concerned departments are directed to make sure availability of concerned staff, machinery in the affected areas. Masses asked to avoid unnecessary traveling and visiting picnic spots.
The Director-General PDMA has also established a helpline in Quetta to make sure timely response to any emergency situation. The authority has given specific numbers for the people to contact the helpline in the case of any emergency situation.
The PDMA call center is working 24hours a week to facilitate the masses, a notification issued by the authority said. The government has also issued instructions to the Communication and Works Department, National Highway Authority (NHA) to make sure the flow of the traffic on highways. The departments were directed to deploy technical staff at the main highways to make sure timely sweeping of the roads after a snowfall.
DCs put departments on alert
Deputy Commissioners of the concerned districts have put all departments on alert to cope with any situation. The provincial government has also instructed the DCs to establish control rooms/helplines on the district level to support the people.
In the near past, people have faced the worst blockade of roads/highways at Lak Pass, Kan Mehtarzai, Khojak Pass, Kol Pur because of heavy snowfall. Thousands of people were stranded for days and nights to reach their destinations.
