Pakistan: Heavy rain and snowfall leave 25 dead in Baluchistan, Punjab provinces as of January 13

Event

At least 25 people have died between of Sunday, January 12, and Monday, January 13, in incidents related to heavy rain and snowfall across the Baluchistan and Punjab provinces. In Punjab, at least 11 people were killed following heavy rain. In Balochistan, at least 14 people were killed, as around 150 mm (6 in) of snow and 56 mm (2 in) of rain covered parts of the province, prompting the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) to declare a state of emergency measures in the Mastung, Qila Abdullah, Kech, Ziarat, Harnai, and Pishin districts.

As of Monday, significant transportation disruptions have been reported in Balochistan province, including road closures on major highways and flights delays and cancelations at the Quetta International Airport (UET). Authorities have also warned against all travel on the Quetta-Karachi and Quetta-Chaman highways, as the Pakistan Meteorology Departement (PMD) has forecast rain and snowfall to continue in Quetta, Kalat, Khuzdar, Mastung, Qila Abdullah, Qila Saifullah, Zhob, Sibbi, Loralai, Chaghi, Nokkundi, Makran, Kharan, Panjgur, Kech and Gwadar over the coming hours and days.

Further flooding, landslides, and power outages are likely in the affected regions over the coming days, as well as associated transportation and business disruptions.

Advice

Individuals in Pakistan are advised to monitor local weather reports, avoid areas directly affected by flooding, confirm road conditions and flight reservations before setting out, and adhere to instructions issued by local authorities. Avoid walking or driving through floodwaters; 15 cm (6 in) of running water is enough to knock over an adult