26 killed in rain, snow-related incidents in Pakistan
ISLAMABAD, Xinhua| 2020-01-14 Tuesday
Heavy rain and snowfall continued to wreak havoc by disrupting daily life in different areas of Pakistan as at least 26 people were killed in weather-related incidents during the last 24 hours, local media and officials said Monday.
Pakistan’s southwest Balochistan province is the worst hit by the torrential rain and heavy snowfall, where at least 21 people lost their lives in separate incidents, according to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) of Balochistan.
At least five people, including two children, were killed and 10 others injured in three different regions of the country’s eastern Punjab province.
Earlier on Sunday, the PDMA imposed a state of emergency in seven districts of Balochistan after heavy rain and snowfall disrupted daily life.
Chief Minister of Balochistan Jam Kamal Khan told the media on Sunday that the situation was not normal and a high alert had been sent to local officials and rescue teams in the respective regions where up to four feet of snowfall had been reported so far.
“The government is on high alert and official teams are working round the clock for the rescue work. We are managing to clear roads from snow and reaching stranded and needy people to provide them with help,” said the chief minister.
Heavy snowfall and torrential rain have disrupted daily life by stopping electricity supply and internet service and blocking almost all roads in the affected areas.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department said on Monday morning that up to 56 mm of rain was recorded in different areas of Balochistan, adding that heavy snowfall and rain are also expected in the upcoming days in different regions, including the provincial capital of Quetta.
