01 January 2005	Saturday	19 Ziqa'ad 1425

QUETTA, Dec 31: Normal life was paralyzed and the Balochistan province was cut off from the rest of the country and air and road links were also suspended between Quetta and other parts of the province due to continuous heavy snowfall for the second consecutive day.

At least four people were killed and a number of other injured in Quetta, Panjgur, Dast-i-Goran areas of Balochistan in an incident of a roof collapse and other accidents.

All Quetta-bound PIA flights coming from Karachi, Islamabad, Lahore and coastal areas of Balochistan were cancelled due to the snowfall in the Quetta valley and its surrounding mountains. The runway at the Quetta airport became slippery.

Quetta received over one foot of snow and Ziarat, Kan Mehtarzai, Khanozai, Muslim Bagh, Toba Kakari, Toba Achakzai and Khojak Pass received over three feet. Area people say the provincial metropolis has witnessed such a long spell of snowfall, stretching for more than 36 hours, after a long time. Local met office has predicted more snowfall in the valley.

Reports reaching here from different parts of the province indicate continuous snowfall. The areas are: Kalat, Mastung, Surab, Nushki, Nokundi and Taftan. Road traffic was badly affected between Quetta and other parts of the province as national highways remained blocked at various points.

Lak pass and Khojak pass were also closed for traffic because of the heavy snowfall. Passenger buses plying between Quetta and Karachi and other parts of the country remained suspended.