Just hours before the arrival of New Year 2026, heavy snowfall and widespread rain transformed large parts of northern and western Balochistan into a striking winter landscape, sharply intensifying cold weather and disrupting routine life in several districts.
According to reports, Ziarat, Toba Achakzai, Kan Mehtarzai, Chaman, Qila Abdullah, and the hilly regions of Kalat received intense snowfall, with valleys and mountain peaks blanketed in thick layers of snow. At the same time, intermittent rain continued in Quetta, Pishin, Mastung, Noshki, and Zhob, pushing temperatures further down.
In some areas, the mercury dropped to minus 2 degrees Celsius, while icy winds added to the severe cold.
Weather System to Continue: Met Office
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) said the current spell of western winds began on the night of December 29 and is likely to continue until the night of December 31. The department forecast more snowfall in mountainous regions and rain in plain areas across the province.
Ziarat’s famous juniper valleys were completely covered in snow, drawing a large number of tourists eager to witness the rare and scenic winter views. Images and videos from Ziarat and Kan Mehtarzai quickly went viral on social media, with many users describing the snowfall as a “nature’s gift” ahead of the New Year.
Traffic, Power Supply Affected
While the snowfall created picturesque scenes, it also caused serious disruptions. Roads connecting Quetta with Ziarat and Chaman became slippery, affecting traffic flow. In several low-lying areas, rainwater accumulated, creating further difficulties for residents.
In Quetta, rainfall led to the tripping of multiple power feeders, resulting in electricity outages in different parts of the city.
Rainfall Recorded Across Multiple Districts
Rain was recorded in a wide range of districts, including Quetta, Zhob, Ziarat, Pishin, Qila Abdullah, Qila Saifullah, Noshki, Kalat, Musa Khel, Loralai, Chagai, Khuzdar, Washuk, Kharan, Turbat, Gwadar, Pasni, and Dalbandin.
Meanwhile, snowfall continued in hilly areas such as Ziarat, Toba Kakari, Kan Mehtarzai, Muslim Bagh, Pishin, Chaman, and Qila Abdullah, disrupting daily life and making roads hazardous for travel.
More Rain and Thunderstorms Forecast
The Met Office has warned that rain accompanied by strong winds and thunderstorms is likely to affect Quetta, Ziarat, Chaman, Pishin, Qila Abdullah, Qila Saifullah, Noshki, Zhob, Kalat, Barkhan, and Musa Khel on Wednesday. Cold and partly cloudy weather is expected to persist in other districts of Balochistan.
Mild Earthquake Felt in Quetta
Separately, a mild earthquake was felt in Quetta and its surrounding areas on Tuesday morning. According to the Seismological Centre, the tremor occurred at 8:56am, measured 2.9 on the Richter scale, and originated at a depth of 30 kilometres. The epicentre was located about 40km northeast of Quetta. No casualties or damage were reported.
