Quetta - Various parts of Balochistan including Ziarat and Quetta, after a prolonged dry spell, received first rain and snowfall of the season on Monday, bringing the mercury down and making the weather extremely cold.

The juniper forests of Ziarat valley was seen covered by white snow exhibiting beauty of the nature.

“Ziarat has received first snowfall of the season which started last night and continued till Monday intermetantly. The snowfall was recorded between 1-2 inches in hilly and plane areas,” said Ms. Azmat, the director forecast in Balochistan.

The director added that the cloudy spell entering in Balochistan last day would cause light rains in northern parts of the province including Quetta, Zhob and Sherani districts.

The snowfall was a good news for people who reportedly rushed to the snow-clad valley of Ziarat for rejoicing and have fun.

The frosty weather left the residents at the mercy of authorities. The people were seen shivering with cold following deadly gas pressure and power outages for hours.

“Low gas pressure and electricity outages have bothered us amidst snow in the city,” lamented Yousaf Khan Sahil, a resident of the valley.

He also spoke of inadequate facilities which compelled residents to migrate to neighbouring Harnai districts in winters.

Yousaf also lashed out at education department for conducting primary schools exams in December – rather than in November – which he termed ridiculous for a district like Ziarat where institutes’ buildings lack facilities and unable to provide conducive environment to the children in such frosty weather.

However, no untoward incident was reported in the valley, while the Levies Force officials were seen clearing traffic mess and keeping up its momentum in the city.

Besides Ziarat, the northern parts of the province including Quetta, Zhob, Qilla Saifullah, Sherani, Loralai, Qilla Abdullah and Pishin also received light rain triggering ray of hope among the drought-stricken farmers and inhabitants alike.

In the provincial metropolis, extremely low gas pressure coupled with load shedding irked dwellers. Light rains continued with intervals in Quetta.

The director forecast said coldwave will continue in the province following post-cloudy weather spell and will continue for next 24 hours.