Extreme weather wreaks havoc across Pakistan

The death toll from snowfall and rain-related incidents in Pakistan over the last three days rose to 75 while the number of injured is estimated to be 29, the NDMA said in an official statement.

With rain and snowfall continuing in many parts of the country, the authority said it is expecting an increase in the death and injury toll.

The body said rains in Balochistan have claimed 15 lives and have injured 11 others. At least 55 deaths and 12 injured have been reported in Azad Jammu and Kashmir. In Neelam valley alone, 19 people have died in an avalanche while 10 others are still missing.

According to NDMA, four injured have been rescued while work is currently underway to rescue the remaining people.

Spokesperson for Balochistan Govt, Liaquat Shahwani, said CM Jam Kamal Khan is personally overseeing the relief work being conducted in the province. He further said that 20 people had lost their lives in the province in snowfall-related incidents.

"We are doing everything we can within the resources available to us," Shawani said while adding that work is being done to restore access to farflung areas of Balochistan.

Major thoroughfares in Balochistan, including Bolan Road, Khanozai Road and Quetta-Chaman Road have been closed for the time being, the statement said, adding that the most snowfall recorded in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province was at Lowari Approach Road at a whopping 23 inches.

Mainly cold and dry weather is expected in most parts of the country tomorrow, with very cold in upper parts and north Balochistan, said the authority in its weekly outlook. Cloudy weather with light rain and snowfall over hills is expected in Gilgit Baltistan and Kashmir.

Avalanches, landslides and other rain-related incidents claimed at least 21 lives and left scores of others injured as most parts of the country remained in the grip of a strong westerly weather system that entered Balochistan in the early hours of Saturday morning.