The northern districts of Balochistan are experiencing near-freezing temperatures, with winter chill affecting routine life and commercial activities.

With the onset of winter, the residents are also facing reduced gas pressure in the colder weather.

According to the Meteorological Department, the weather in Quetta and other northern areas of Balochistan is dry but bitterly cold, affecting business activities.

Minimum temperatures were recorded at minus 3°C in Quetta and Kalat, minus 4°C in Ziarat, 10°C in Turbat, 10°C in Sibi, and 12°C in the coastal city of Gwadar.

The Met Office has forecast severe cold during the mornings and nights in the northern districts.

A low gas pressure across the province, including Quetta, has caused significant inconvenience to residents.

With gas shortages, many people have been forced to use firewood to keep warm.

The Meteorological Department has forecast a further drop in temperatures over the coming days, along with chances of rain.

In other parts of the country, widespread dry cold is settling in, with temperatures in the northern and hilly regions falling below freezing.

Skardu recorded a low of minus 11°C, while Gilgit saw temperatures drop to minus 6°C.

Babusar Top experienced minus 4°C, while Chitral, Dir, and Astor dropped to minus 3°C.

Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, Murree, and the Galiyat region are also facing bitter cold.

The weather across Islamabad, and the plain areas of Sindh and Balochistan, is expected to remain cold and dry, while fog and smog may gradually increase in the plains of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The Meteorological Department has warned that temperatures in northern areas could fall further over the next few days.