Ziarat valley receives first snowfall of winter season after a long drought
Muhammad Ajmal :
ZIARAT: The mountainous Ziarat valley received the first snowfall of the winter season after a long drought on Saturday night. White carpet gradually covered the mountains housing the second largest juniper forest in the world. People heaved a sigh of relief after the snowfall. “This is the blessing of Allah”, Yar Muhammad, a resident of the valley tells Quetta Voice. Video footages show Quaid e Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s residency located in the valley receiving heavy snowfall.
Local tourists thronged the valley after the snowfall. Continued snowfall also increased cold weather. “Government has to ensure the provision of the gas facility”, Amanullah, a shopkeeper demanded. He said the people of the area were facing low or no gas pressure after the rainfall and snowfall. “We cannot protect ourselves from sub-zero temperature”, most of the residents lamented.
First #Snowfall of the year in #Ziarat video courtesy #SyedMatiullahShah pic.twitter.com/caRayUHIxe
— Quetta Voice (@VoiceQuetta) December 4, 2021
Snowfall to mitigate the impacts of drought
The snowfall is likely to mitigate the impacts of a long drought-hit-like situation. This will be having far-reaching positive impacts on the orchards and crops in the area. Tourists from Quetta and other parts of Balochistan also thronged the beautiful valley to enjoy the weather.
Quetta, the provincial capital of Balochistan also received rainfall. The weather turned pleasant after the rainfall. There were crowds of customers outside fish, roast, and other shops in the city after the snowfall. “We have come out in this pleasant weather”, Abdul Latif, with a white-bushy beard said. He was sipping a tea on Quetta’s Prince Road along with other friends.
The Met Office has also predicted further rainfall in Quetta and other parts of Balochistan in the next couple of days. Rainfall is expected in Quetta and various parts of northern and central Balochistan within the next few days.