Balochistan province is experiencing severely cold weather with the start of a cold snap that has also gripped Sindh province. Water has frozen in pipelines in the southern areas of the province including Noshki and Pasni, Aaj News reported.

The cold wave has affected the Makran division and its neighboring districts with reports of cold freeze from Kech’s Hoshab, Tajaban, Buleda, Noshki, and Pasni.

Private sector schools have suspended classes while thin attendance was reported at public schools and offices.

Since strong westerly winds are blowing, fishermen have been advised against going on the sea for the next three days until January 16 by the Maritime Security Agency and Fisheries Department.

In the provincial capital of Quetta, the temperature dropped to negative 10 degrees Celsius while the minimum temperature in Ziarat was recorded at -14 degrees.

While most Balochistan districts are under a dry cold spell, Chaman and adjoining areas received snowfall Thursday night.

Chilly winds in Karachi

Siberian winds have also caused a chill in Karachi where temperatures dropped to 11 degrees Celsius.

The Met Office has forecast strong winds throughout the day in the city, saying windspeed could rise up tp 45 km per hour in night.

The city is also facing natural gas shortage as nationwide demand increases in winter. Around 40% of areas in the city are not getting gas even for cooking needs, according to Aaj News.

Snowfall in Kashmir and Kaghan

The upper parts of the country have been receiving snowfall. In Kaghan valley around 1.5 feet of snowfall was recorded at the tourist resorts of Shogran, Kaghan, and Naran.

Authorities have closed the road leading to areas beyond Kaghan.

In Azad Kashmir’s Neelum Valley snowfall has crippled life. Roads in Lawat Bala, Sharda, Sonthar, and Grace Valley have been closed.