Terrible Disaster Strikes Gilgit-Baltistan as Tower Collapse Claims Four Lives

GILGIT/QUETTA: Four people were killed in Gilgit-Baltistan when a tower collapsed on a house following heavy snowfall in Diamer, while one person died in Balochistan after a roof caved in due to rain in Zhob.

Police stated that a “clock/observation tower” near a residential home in Tangir Valley in Diamer had collapsed, resulting in the death of four members of a family and injuries to two other members. Diamer Deputy Commissioner Ataur Rehman Kakar claimed that heavy snowfall on Thursday might have caused the incident.

The Karakoram Highway (KKH), Baltistan Road, Ghizer-Shandur Road, and several other roads were open for traffic as of Saturday, while various local road networks remained closed in areas such as Astore, Skardu, Ghanche, Ghizer, and Shigar. The government issued a travel advisory for tourists due to heavy snowfall recorded in Hunza, Nagar, Ghizer, Astore, Skardu, Shigar, Ghanche, Kharmang, and Diamer.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) predicted additional rain and snowfall across the country, with some roads potentially closed or partially blocked due to ongoing weather conditions.

In Zhob, a child was killed and two others injured in a roof-collapse incident caused by slippery road conditions resulting from the snow. More than six individuals were hospitalized after accidents occurred on the roads.

In Quetta, cold wave conditions persisted, exacerbated by persistent Siberian winds affecting the provincial capital and nearby areas of northern and central Balochistan for three consecutive days. While the sky was clear in Quetta on Saturday, low gas pressure contributed to extremely cold weather. Businesses and residential streets remained largely deserted as people preferred staying indoors due to icy roads.

LPG dealers increased cylinder prices due to heightened demand. To provide relief, the Quetta Electric Supply Company (QESCO) announced a one-week suspension of load shedding in Quetta and surrounding areas for severe cold weather conditions; however, power shortages continued in other cities of the province.

Water pipes froze in Quetta, Kalat, Chaman, and Ziarat, leading to water shortages in several regions. The local administration opened highways and inter-provincial roads due to snow blockages but advised travelers to monitor weather updates before traveling.

Throughout the province, cold temperatures reached as low as minus 12 degrees Celsius in upper and mountainous border areas. In anticipation of more severe conditions expected in the next 24 hours, including light and heavy rain with icy winds across multiple districts and snowfall in some coastal areas, local authorities advised people to prepare for the upcoming weather changes.