Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Balochistan road clearance operation in snow-affected areas is going on in Kaan Mehtarzai, Ziarat, Khojak and Lak pass areas of Qila Saifullah districts in Chaman and Mastung respectively, in order to avoid any emergency situation. PDMA Balochistan has deployed snow-removing machinery and rescue teams for clearing the road blockades in snow-hit areas of the province to ensure a smooth flow of traffic.
A PDMA official told APP that an alert has been issued to all concerned departments to take precau-tionary measures to avoid avalanche-related acci-dents across the province. The departments con-cerned including Rescue 1122, Health, Revenue, Police, Livestock and others were directed to remain alert during this period of severe weather, he said. He added that heavy snowfall in the areas of Ziarat, Kan Mehtarzai and Muslim Bagh choked the major thoroughfares causing heavy traffic jams.
However, heavy machinery was deployed that helped to evacuate vehicles stuck in the snow, the PDMA official said.
“Roads are now clear and open for light vehicles whereas PDMA and Levies teams are spraying de-icing salt to ensure unimpeded traffic flow,” he added. He also advised people, particularly tourists, to avoid unnecessary travel in snowbound and land-slide-prone areas during the prevailing weather con-ditions and observe caution as roads were slippery.
The provincial emergency centre at PDMA office Quetta is working round the clock and directed to coordinate with local administration and other de-partments concerned for timely response, he added. The authority has advised DDMAs to coordinate with concerned departments for the arrangement and placement of necessary inventory and other essentials along with the availability of emergency services personnel at vulnerable locations.
Balochistan Home and Tribal Affairs Minister Mir Ziaullah Longo on Wednesday issued directives to the district administration, PDMA and traffic police, to be alert and keep the traffic flowing as the Ba-lochsitan receives snow and rain. “Special arrange-ments should be made during snowfall and down-pour,” the Home Minister said in a statement issued here. He called upon the 1122 and other relevant departments to perform their duties in an active manner for the convenience of passengers.
